Service difficulty report · Snap Ring · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
March 30, 2001
Submitted
May 4, 2001
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N78GH
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317852121
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Part
Snap Ring
Part number
LW14820
Condition
Defective
Location
Counterweight
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

THIS ENGINE WAS RECEIVED ON 2/21/01 DUE TO A HOLE IN TOP OF ENGINE. DURING DISASSEMBLY IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN AT THE NR 1 ROD JOURNAL. THE SNAP RING AND PIN WERE MISSING FROM ONE OF THE COUNTERWEIGHTS. THE PIN UPON COMING OUT WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE NR 2 CONNECTING ROD AND CONNECTING ROD HAD THE CAP PULLED OFF FROM DEBREE FLYING AROUND IN THE ENGINE. THE SNAP RING DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TENTION TO KEEP IT EXPANDED IN PLACE ALLOWING IT TO COME OUT AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

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