Service difficulty report · Pushrod · Airtrc AT301

Difficulty date
February 14, 2000
Submitted
April 17, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N23043
Make and model
Airtrc AT301
Aircraft serial
3010352
Engine
Pwa R1340AN1
Part
Pushrod
Condition
Misinstalled
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
W
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

ENGINE VALVE PUSH RODS AND ROCKER ARMS WERE REVERSED DURING INSTALLATION ON THE NR 5 CYLINDER. SINCE THE INTAKE ROD IS LONGER AND ENGINE HAS SOLID TAPPETS, THE PUSH ROD ON THE EXHAUST SIDE BENT, AND THE ROCKER ARM BROKE RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR AT LEAST SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE FAILURE LEADING TO SPECULATION THAT IT DID NOT FAIL UNTIL THE ROCKER ARM BROKE PREVENTING THE EXHAUST VALVE FROM OPENING. (X)