Service difficulty report · Rotor · Cessna 172M

Difficulty date
June 9, 2016
Submitted
August 12, 2016
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N13295
Make and model
Cessna 172M
Aircraft serial
17262646
Engine
Lyc O320*
Part
Rotor
Part number
M3548
Condition
Cracked
Location
Magneto
Part time
421 hours
Component
Magneto · Slick
Component part number
4370
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
O
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

AIRCRAFT CAME INTO SHOP FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND PILOT MENTIONED THAT ON LAST FLIGHT HE HAD AROUND A 300 RPM DROP ON RT MAGNETO. PILOT LEANED MIXTURE AND PERFORMED ANOTHER CHECK DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION THE TIMING VARIED FROM 25 TO 0 DEGREES BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER ON NUMEROUS TIMING CHECKS. THE MAGNETO WAS REMOVED AND OPENED UP TO INSPECT THE POINTS. UPON INSPECTION THE POINTS WERE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT AS THE MAGNETO WAS ROTATED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MAGNETO ROTOR SHAFT WAS CRACKED AT THE SLOT/CUTOUT WHERE THE POINTS CAM SLIDES INTO THE SHAFT. THE DISTRIBUTOR DRIVE GEAR WAS HOLDING THE BROKEN PIECE IN PLACE ALLOWING THE MAG TO FUNCTION BUT HAVING ERRATIC POINT OPENING AND CLOSING DUE TO THE CAM SLIPPING AND NOT PROPERLY OPENING AND CLOSING THE MOVEABLE POINT.

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