Service difficulty report · Intake Valve · Piper PA32300

Difficulty date
January 28, 2006
Submitted
May 5, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N56709
Make and model
Piper PA32300
Aircraft serial
327440020
Engine
Lyc IO540*
Part
Intake Valve
Part number
73938
Condition
Disintegrated
Location
Cylinder Nr 3
Part time
127 hours
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
E, R
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

INTAKE VALVE DISINTEGRATED, FALLING INTO CYLINDER HEAD NR 3. VALVE BOUNCED AROUND, BEATING THE TOP OF PISTON AND CYL HEAD CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, FINALLY THE VALVE WAS SUCKED INTO THE INTAKE CAUSING A GAPPING HOLE ON THE INTAKE PORT. INTAKE VALVE FAILURE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY CAUSE OF CATASTROPIC FAILURE. (K)

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