Service difficulty report · Sleeve · Stbros SD360SHERPA

Difficulty date
November 1, 2011
Submitted
November 1, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Stbros SD360SHERPA
Engine
Pwa PT6A65AR
Part
Sleeve
Condition
Seized
Location
Engine
Part time
21,056 hours, 23,559 cycles
Component
2nd Stage Plane · Pwc
Component part number
3032266CL11
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
Y, J
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

AFTER TAKEOFF CLIMB AT 6000 FT, CREW PULLED BACK POWER TO CRUISE. SHORTLY AFTER, TORQUE ON THE NR 2 ENGINE DROPPED AND THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CREW NOTED THAT NR 2 PROPELLER HAD FEATHERED AND STOPPED. THE ENGINE WAS SHUTDOWN MANUALLY. CREW STATED ALL SYS WERE NORMAL PRIOR TO THE TORQUE DROP. THE ACFT LANDED SAFELY. POST FLIGHT INSP FOUND THAT THE NR 2 POWER SECTION LOCKED-UP AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF OIL LEAKAGE. DURING THE POST-FLIGHT INSP BRASS AND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL FILTER, CHIP DETECTOR AND POWER SECTION FILTER. THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE FAILURE REVEALED THAT THE SLEEVE BEARING (BRASS BUSHING) OF 4 OF 5 SECOND-STAGE REDUCTION PLANETARY GEARS HAD SEIZED TO THE GEAR SHAFTS. THE SEIZURE OF THE BUSHINGS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED AS THE CAUSE OF THE LACK OF ROTATION OF THE GEARBOX AND THUS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SUDDEN STOPPAGE WHICH LED TO THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN IN-FLIGHT.