Service difficulty report · Stud · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
June 24, 2009
Submitted
September 4, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N27956
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317952064
Engine
Lyc LTIO540N2BD
Part
Stud
Part number
38135015
Condition
Cracked
Location
Crankcase
Part time
4,490 hours, 1,607 cycles
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

PILOT SAW LOSS IN OIL PSI AND MANIFOLD PSI, FEATHERED ENGINE AND LANDED, AFTER INSP, FOUND NR 3 CYLINDER ON RT ENGINE COMING OFF DUE TO STUDS BROKEN, NOT SURE WHICH STUD BROKE FIRST, BUT ONE STUD PROBABLY BROKE WHICH CAUSED EXTRA STRESS ON THE OTHER STUDS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK. REMOVED/ REPLACED ALL STUDS AND THROUGH BOLTS IN CRANKCASE, BECAUSE THIS EVENT IS THE SECOND TIME ON THIS ENG WHERE THE STUDS ON A CYLINDER BROKE. ALL CRANKCASE STUDS SHOULD BE A 100 PERCENT REPLACEMENT ITEM AT OVERHAUL AND LISTED IN SB 240U OR GREATER, THERE IS NO SURE WAY TO CHECK EACH STUD FOR CRACKS IN THE THREADS, WHEN MOUNTED IN THE CASE. THE STUDS ARE NOT THAT EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED AT O/H. (K)

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