Continental IO-540 series
Service difficulty reports · 270
Newest first. General aviation reporting is voluntary.
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT sdr_id, difficulty_date, n_number, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, part_name, part_condition, jasc_code, discrepancy FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_service_difficulty_report.parquet' WHERE engine_model_key = 'IO540' ORDER BY difficulty_date DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT sdr_id, difficulty_date, n_number, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, part_name, part_condition, jasc_code, discrepancy FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_service_difficulty_report.parquet' WHERE engine_model_key = 'IO540' ORDER BY difficulty_date DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
SDR 2026FA0000346Thrust Button · faultedDURING MAJOR OVERHAUL INSTALLED SUPERIOR ROCKER SHAFT THRUST BUTTONS P/N SL12893.INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED STATED THAT FAULTY THRUST BUTTONS WILLFLOAT IN WATER AND GOOD PARTS WILL SINK. WE PERFORMED THIS TEST ON EVERY LOT NUMBER IN OURINVENTORY AND FOUND SESDR 2026FA0000064Magneto · failedSLICK MAGNETO (MODEL NR 6350 S/N 15087263) FOLLOWER ARM OF CONTACTOR POINTS BROKE AFTER 76 HOURS SINCE NEW. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE BEND ON THE SIDE OF THE SPRINGY METAL FOLLOW ARM. THIS CAUSED THE MAGNETO TO FAIL (DEAD MAG) DURING BEFORE TAKEOFF MAGNETO CHSDR 2024FA0000575Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2024FA0000573Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2024FA0000577Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2024FA0000576Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2024FA0000571Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2024FA0000570Magneto · failedMAGNETO FAILEDSDR 2022FA0000697Starter · fireA/C CAME IN FOR A 50HR OIL CHANGE AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FOUND THAT UPON INSTALL OF NEW ENGINE, REPAIR STATION REMOVED A JUMPER WIRE FROM A 12V STARTER AGAINST THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED ON PART AND SL, WHICH ALLOWED IT TO RECEIVE 24V FOR WHICH THE A/C WAS RATEDSDR 2023FA0000356Unknown · unknownAIRCRAFT HAD BEEN PERFORMING MANEUVERS FOR 30 MINUTES. UPON APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY AT LOW ALTITUDE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND QUICKLY SHUT DOWN. PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE EXCESSIVE HEATING OF THE FUEL SDR 2020FA0000430Ratchet Sys · failedON FINAL FOR LANDING WITH 40 FLAPS SET IN, FLAPS SUDDENLY SNAPPED UP TO NEUTRAL, PLANE DROPPED QUICKLY. FLAP HANDLE WOULD WORK, BUT WOULD NOT CATCH. NO FLAP LANDING DONE. FOUND THAT THE CURVED FLAP RATCHET HAD BROKEN IN HALF. ALL OTHER PARTS APPEARED IN GOSDR 2020FA0000258Magneto · abnormalLEFT MAGNETO WAS ONLY FIRING ON 3 OF THE 6 CYLINDERS. THE AIRCRAFT IS EQUIPPED WITH A G3I ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM THAT IS COUPLED TO THE MAGNETOS. THE LEFT MAGNETO IS THE TRIGGER FOR THE COMPLETE SYSTEM, IF THE LEFT MAGNETO FAILS OR DETERIORATES, THEN THE CSDR 17GR20191108901Valve · bentDURING 50 HOUR INSPECTION NO COMPRESSION ON CYLINDER 4. INSPECTION REVEALED STUCK EXHAUST VALVE AND BENT PUSH ROD.SDR 2019FA0000251Magneto · defectiveMAGNETO ROTOR HAS TWO POLE MAGNET WITH FIXED LOCATION TO KEY OF ROTOR. KEY WAY IS WHAT ALIGNS THE ROTOR MAGNET POLE LOCATIONS TO THE ENGINE TIMING. MAGNET HAS SHIFTED ON THE ROTOR TO INCORRECT LOCATION CAUSING MAGNETO TO FALL OUT OF TIME WITH ENGINE.SDR CA190621004Circuit Breaker · defective(CAN) ALTERNATOR 60 AMP.BREAKER WITH INTERNAL RESISTANCE (IN 28V OUT 8V) THIS WILL MAKE THE ALTERNATOR STOP CHARGING.... (TC# 20190621004)SDR 2020FA0000124Seal · deformedTHE OIL RELIEF SPRING WAS DEFORMED AND THE FILTER WAS OFF THE SEAL ALLOWING OIL TO BYPASS THE FILTER. THE ENGINE WAS PROBABLY STARTED WITH COLD OIL CAUSING THE FILTER TO COME OFF THE SEAT AND DEFORM THE SPRING. THE FILTER WAS NOT CLOGGED WITH ONLY 23 HOURS OSDR 2015FA0000521Stud · wornTHIS STUD HOLDS IDLER SHAFT WHICH SUPPORTS CRANKSHAFT IDLER GEAR. WHEN STUD FAILED, IDLER GEAR DISENGAGED FROM CAM AND CRANKSHAFT. THIS CAUSED ENGINE TO STOP.SDR 2015FA0000501Belt · brokenACFT LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER DUE TO ALTERNATOR BELT BREAKING. ALL NARROW BELTS ARE INSTALLED ON FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONING SYS. ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT CONVERSION KITS, PN 767310 NEED TO BE INSTALLED IAW SL 104C.SDR KC2R2014110300049Impulse Coupling · crackedDURING INSPECTION OF IMPULSE COUPLINGS AT "500 HR INSPECTION" , IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH IMPULSE FLYWEIGHT BASE PLATES SHOWED CRACKS NEAT FLYWEIGHT AXLES. CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED USING MAGNETIC PARTICLE NDT METHOD. BOTH IMPULSE COUPLINGS REPLACED WITH NEW.SDR KC2R1029201449484Impulse Coupling · crackedDURING A ROUTINE 500 HR INSPECTION OF THE MAGNETOS, FOUND BOTH IMPULSE COUPLINGS CRACKED AT HUB PLATE, NEAR FULL ADVANCE STOP NOTCH.SDR JRUR2014FA0000510Points · looseOWNER REPORTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH STARTING THE ACFT ENGINE WHILE IT WAS HOT. ACFT WAS JUST RETURNING FROM SERVICE AND WAS DUE A PHASE 1 INSPECTION. REMOVED BOTH THE LT AND RT MAGNETOS TO CHECK THE PRIMARY POINTS FOR DRIFTING. INSPECTION OF THE LT MAGNETOSDR 9JNR20140307002Tailpipe · undersizeWHILE PERFORMING AD 2013-10-04 TO PREVENT POSSIBILITY OF AN IN-FLIGHT POWER PLANT FIRE DUE TO AN EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE ON N1188V A PA-31-350, THE RT ENGINE TURBO EXHAUST CLAMP FAILED THE VISUAL INSPECTION ON CLEARANCES. WHEN THE CLAMP WAS REPLACED WITH NEW CSDR CA131104012Cylinder · cracked(CAN) UPON REMOVING ACFT FROM WATER FOR WINTER STORAGE, ACFT ENGINE WAS INHIBITED/SCREEN CHECKED. COMPRESSIONS OF ALL CYLINDER WERE CHECKED, CYLINDER NR 1 WAS CRACKED SEPARATING BETWEEN COOLING FINS ON HEAD. CYLINDER 2, 4, 6 WERE CRACKED BETWEEN TOP SPARKPLUSDR IDCR2013FA0000565Baffle · brokenDURING ROUTINE INSPECTION, DISCOVERED BROKEN RIVET IN ENGINE OIL SUCTION SCREEN. BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE, KNEW THIS MOST LIKELY CAME FROM A BROKEN OIL SUMP BAFFLING. CALLED MFG ENGINES TECH LINE TO CONFIRM THIS. MFG TECH FORWARDED A COPY OF MFG ENG SB SDR 2013FA0000489Valve · brokenOPERATOR WAS COMPLAINING OF HIGHER THAN NORMAL OIL TEMPERATURES. FOUND VERNATHERM VALVE TO HAVE BROKEN. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE SEATING VALVE HAD BROKEN OFF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE PART. IT HAD BROKEN WHERE A ROLL PIN SECURES THE NUT TO THE THREADS. THESDR J4YR201304299619Cable · failedON REACHING ROTATION SPEED FOR TAKEOFF, ACFT SUDDENLY LOST PITCH CONTROL AND TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED. AFTER INVESTIGATION THE LT FWD STABILATOR CABLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AT THE THREADED CABLE TERMINAL ADJACENT TO THE TURNBUCKLE BARREL. THE FAILURE APPEARS TSDR 2012FA0000783Turnbuckle · brokenAFT FUSELAGE ELEVATOR CABLE TURNBUCKLE END, CRACKED AND BROKE OFF AT THE BARREL SIDE IN THE SHANK PART, .6250" BACK FROM THE THREADED PORTION OF THE TURNBUCKLE END, JUST AT THE THICKER PART WHERE THE SAFETY WIRE HOLE IS, OPPOSITE THE SWEDGED END. THERE WAS ESDR 2013FA0000114Switch · stuckNOSE GEAR DOWN INDICATOR SWITCH REMAINED STUCK CLOSED AFTER RETRACTION OF GEAR. WHEN GEAR WAS EXTENDED, HYD PRESSURE TO NOSE GEAR STOPPED WHEN MAIN GEAR DOWN LIMIT SWITCHES CLOSED SHUTTING OFF GEAR MOTOR PRIOR TO NOSE GEAR LOCKING. ACFT LANDED WITH 3 GREEN SDR 2012F00096Control Handle · malfunctionedLANDING GEAR LOWERED AND PILOT REPORTED INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ALL 3 GREEN, THE LANDING GEAR LEVER DID NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CYCLE GEAR UP, BUT NO RESPONSE. GEAR LIGHTS CONTINUED TO INDICATE GREEN (LOWERED AND LOCKED). PILOT FLEW BY TOWESDR 2012FA0000277Spark Plug · mismanufacturedINSTALLED NEW MFG FINE WIRE PLUGS IN FEB 2010 AT 1260 HRS TT. NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE RESISTORS IN A FEW OF THE PLUGS. NOTICED HARD STARTING WHEN HOT. AT ANNUAL INSPECTION, 7 OF 12 PLUGS HAD FAILED, THE RESISTORS WERE COMPLETELY OPEN AND REGISTERED 1 ON SDR 2012FA0000186Hub · crackedLIQUID PENETRANT INDICATION ON THE EXTERNAL SOCKET ON NR 2 BLADE AT 4 O`CLOCK. THIS IS NOT A RADIAL INDICATION. THIS CRACK INDICATION WAS DISCOVERED DURING O/H. THE PART IS UNAIRWORTHY. HUB WAS SENT TO MFG FOR DESTRUCTIVE TESTING.SDR 2010FA0001217Blades · separated(9C9S) ROTOR BLADE FAILED INSPECTION FOR AD 2007-26-12 AND MFG SB NR72 R44II.SDR 2010FA0001218Blades · damaged(9C9S) MAIN ROTOR BLADE FAILED INSPECTION FOR AD 2007-26-12 AND MFG SB NR 72, R44II.SDR 2010FA0001172Ignition Switch · inoperativeACFT LOST ELECTRICAL POWER DURING LANDING, PILOT IN COMMAND NOTICED THE GEAR WAS NOT LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION AND DID A GO AROUND. PILOT HAND PUMPED THE GEAR DOWN AND LANDED THE ACFT WITH ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, FOUND THAT THE STARTER AND STASDR 2010FA0001081Display · failedTHE MFD (RT SEAT) WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR FREQUENCY CHANGES ON BOTH THE NAV AND COM. THE PFD (LT SEAT) CONTINUED TO WORK FINE. ONCE THE NEW FREQUENCIES WERE TUNED IN ON THE LT, THE RT WOULD THEN WORK AND ALLOW FOR FREQUENCY CHANGES. THE G1000 WAS 4 YEARS OLD, WSDR 2010FA0000497Baffle · crackedDURING ENGINE MAINTENANCE THAT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE OIL SUMP THE INTERNAL OIL SUMP BAFFLE (P/N 56G23399) WAS FOUND BADLY CRACKED (APPROX. 4" LONG) ON THE PAN SHEET, ALONGSIDE THE RIVET LINE FOR THE BACK BONE STIFFENER. ADDITIONALLY, 5 OF THE 6 MOUNTING SDR 2010FA0000211Oil Filter · inoperativeWHILETRYING TO TIGHTEN A NEW OIL FILTER ONTO ENGINE, THE FILTER WOULD GET PARTIALLY TIGHT THEN POP LOOSE. REMOVED OIL FILTER TO FIND CENTER MOUNTING STUD HAD BROKEN LOOSE. REMOVED OIL FILTER TO FIND CENTER MOUNTING STUD HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND STRIPPED THREADS SDR 2010FA0000023Duct · collapsedDURING ANNUAL INSP, FOUND DUCT JUST AFT OF INDUCTION FILTER TO BE PARTIALLY COLLAPSED. AFTER REMOVING DUCT, FOUND THE INTERNAL WIRE FORMERS TO BE DISCONNECTED AND UNRAVELED CAUSING THE DUCT TO COLLAPSE.SDR 2009FA0001015Valve · stuckON START UP AND TAXI OUT OF THE ACFT, EXHAUST AND INTAKE VALVES STUCK. THIS CAUSED BOTH PUSH RODS TO BEND. AND LIFTER PLUNGER WAS LOCKED UP UPON FURTHER INSP. ENG WAS USING W100 OIL AND HAD ONLY 634.8 HOURS SINCE NEW.SDR EN02009F00000Pump · failedFUEL EDP DID NOT MAKE FULL FUEL PRESSURE/GPH AT TAKE OFF RPM. NORMAL TAKEOFF FUEL FLOW ONLY REACHED WHEN AUX FUEL PUMP WAS ON. WHEN AUX PUMP SWITCHED OFF AT TAKEOFF RPM, ENGINE WOULD LOSE 5-7 GPH OF FUEL FLOW. EGT WOULD RISE ABOVE NORMAL & RPM`S & MANIFOLD SDR CA090403011Tie Bolt · failed(CAN) IT WAS THE USUAL ON TOUCHDOWN, BUT WE HAD A 15-20 KNOT WIND TO HELP SLOW THINGS DOWN AND FOUND THE LANDING NOT REMARKABLE IN ANY WAY. SAME WITH TAKEOFF, THEN 3 MORE HOURS OF FLYING AND CARIBOU SURVEY, AND BACK. AS THE WEIGHT CAME OFF THE WINGS ONTO THE SDR 2008FA0000843Cowling · brokenAFTER LIFTOFF, AT APPROX 250 TO 300 FEET AGL THE RT SIDE OF THE UPPER ENGINE COWLING CAME LOOSE AND BROKE OFF AT APPROX THE MIDDLE LT PORTION OF THE COWLING, FALLING TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT HAD UNDERGONE A 100 HOUR INSP ON THE ENGINE AT 6905.8 HRS. OWNER STASDR 2008FA0000655Muffler · crackedMUFFLER WAS HEAT BLISTERED AND CRACKED AT TAIL PIPE TRANSITION. COLLECTOR WAS BURNED THRU UNDER CLAMP AT NR 1 CYLINDER, ALSO HEAT BLISTERED. (K)SDR 2008FA0000656Muffler · bulgedMUFFLER FOUND - BULGED - BLISTERED AND HEAT CRACKED AT TAILPIPE TRANSITION. (K)SDR 2008FA0000618Tank · leakingTHE ACFT OPERATOR DROPPED THE ACFT OFF WITH A COMPLAINT OF A FUEL LEAK IN THE LT WING. THERE WAS EXTERNAL STAINING AT THE IB AFT EDGE OF THE TANK ASSY WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE WING SKIN. THE TANK WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT TO LOOK FOR THE LEAK. IT APPEARS TSDR FFK2008F00001Magneto · brokenPILOT REPORTED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COWLING AFTER THE LAST FLIGHT OF THE DAY. MAINT TROUBLESHOT PROBLEM TO BE COMING FROM THE DUEL MAGNETO, PN BL-68256013, SN- G07GA121R, TSO 373. THE BOTTOM MOUNTING FLANGE HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE MAGNETO HSG CAUSING THSDR 2008FA0000519Camshaft · wornCAMSHAFT LOBES WORN FROM CORROSION PITS. (K)SDR 2008FA0000418Wheel · brokenDIFFICULTY WAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE AN AMT WAS REMOVING THE RETAINING NUT FROM THE AXLE ON THE RT MAIN GEAR OF AC. HE STOPPED AND DEFLATED THE TIRE. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS THEN REMOVED WITHOUT RESISTANCE. AFTER REMOVAL ALL BUT ONE OF THE ASSEMBLY RETAINING BOLSDR CA080630002Control Column · corroded(CAN) WHILE CARRYING OUT AN ANNUAL INSP AND SEB 01-3 R1 HEAVY CORROSION WAS FOUND INTERNALLY IN CONTROL YOKE. A/C HISTORY SHOWED FRESH WATER SUBMERSION IN 1982.SDR 2008FA0000408Wheel · corrodedDURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION THE AMT ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY WHILE REMOVING THE LT MAIN GEAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY AXLE RETAINING NUT. HE STOPPED AND DEFLATED THE TIRE. THE WHEEL WAS THEN REMOVED EASILY. FOLLOWING REMOVAL THE WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED A
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