Service difficulty report · Connecting Rod · Cessna 172H

Difficulty date
January 5, 2002
Submitted
February 1, 2002
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N3910R
Make and model
Cessna 172H
Aircraft serial
17255410
Engine
Cont O300*
Part
Connecting Rod
Condition
Failed
Location
Nr 3 Cylinder
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
R, Y
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

NR 3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD AND CAP FAILED AT THE CRANKSHAFT. CONNECTING ROD FELL TO BOTTOM OF CYLINDER BORE AND WAS REPEATEDLY STRUCK BY THE CRANKSHAFT UNTIL ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER FINAL POWER REDUCTION DURING A ROUTINE LANDING. PILOT REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY POWER LOSS. CAUSE OF FAILURE INDETERMINABLE. PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE DEFECT IN ROD CASTING. NOTED THAT THIS ENGINE HAS A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED TBO TIME OF 1800 HOURS. ENGINE HAD 2115 HOURS ON IT SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY WAS FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO ROD CAP BOLTS HAD BACKED OFF, AND THE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CASE.

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