Motor Club

Tom Zwemke
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Various aircraft motors, including those for landing gear, flaps, and hydraulic systems, are prone to failure, often indicated by tripped circuit breakers, excessive amperage, or smoke.
  • These motor failures frequently lead to critical system malfunctions, necessitating the use of manual or emergency procedures by pilots for a safe landing.
  • In all reported incidents, replacing the faulty motor was the successful maintenance solution to restore the aircraft to serviceable condition.
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Beech 58 Baron

Failed Landing Gear Motor

The pilot attempted to extend the landing gear but had no indication it was down. The tower verified the gear was not extended. After troubleshooting, he manually extended the gear and landed uneventfully. Technicians found the gear did not fully retract and the landing gear relay circuit breaker had popped. Technicians replaced the landing gear motor with no further complications.

Part total time: Unknown

Beech 200 Super King Air

Failed Flap Motor

Wing flap indication did not reflect extension. A cabin occupant reported smelling smoke. Crew made a no-flap landing. At shutdown, the flaps were out of position and the flap motor circuit breaker had popped. Maintenance found the flap motor (p/n 100-384040) had seized. Replaced flap motor and aircraft was returned to service.

Part total time: Unknown

Cessna 172P Skyhawk

Faulty Flap Motor

The wing flaps were intermittent. Troubleshooting found fault to be the flap motor (p/n C301-002-0110) itself. Motor replaced with new, and function checked serviceable.

Part total time: Unknown

Cessna T310R

Excessive Gear Motor Amperage

Gear motor circuit breaker tripped on retraction. Pilot selected gear down and reset the breaker; gear extended and locked before breaker tripped again. Maintenance technician found gear motor drawing excessive amperage. Replaced motor and returned aircraft to service.

Part total time: Unknown

Cessna 320E Skynight

Shorted Vent Blower Motor

Air-conditioning vent blower motor failed internally. It shorted out and filled the cockpit/cabin with smoke. Aircraft landed uneventfully. Maintenance replaced with new unit. Ops check okay.

Part total time: 1040.0 hours

Piaggio P.180 Avanti

Failed Hydraulic Pump Motor

Crew noticed two gear unsafe lights with the hydraulic pressure light illuminated. Crew hand-pumped gear down and landed without hydraulic pressure. Replaced hydraulic pump electric motor; good ops check.

Part total time: 68.0 hours

Pilatus PC-12/47

Faulty Hydraulic Power Pack Motor

After departure, the hydraulic caution light illuminated. The crew diverted and landed safely after the landing gear was manually extended. The hydraulic power pack motor (p/n 960.30.02.104) and relay (p/n 974.09.26.112) were found to be faulty. Maintenance replaced faulty components and performed an ops check, which was good.

Part total time: Unknown

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