Electrical

Aircraft departed but pilot could not retract landing gear. Pilot diverted to nearby airport without problems. Maintenance found a broken wire at the gear selector switch. Repaired wire, ops checks good.Part Total Time: 15,557 hours

Editorial Staff

Friday, October 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Various wiring failures, including broken leads, chafed insulation, or melted cables, are a common cause of malfunctions in critical aircraft systems like landing gear, engines, and instrumentation.
Many of these electrical problems stem from improper installation techniques, inadequate protection against operational stresses, or design flaws in wire routing and support.
Repeated movement, material fatigue, and environmental factors such as heat or vibration contribute significantly to the degradation and eventual failure of aircraft wiring over time.

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Beechcraft Model 58 Baron
Broken Gear Selector Wiring
Aircraft departed but pilot could not retract landing gear. Pilot diverted to nearby airport without problems. Maintenance found a broken wire at the gear selector switch. Repaired wire, ops checks good.
Part Total Time: 15,557 hours

Cirrus SR20
Failed Magneto
While taxiing to ramp after a flight, engine vibrated and misfired at or below 1000 rpm. Problem traced to right magneto. Examination revealed the coils primary lead to the points had broken. Coil lead wire had not been crimped properly.
Part Total Time: 1148 hours