Service difficulty report · Rocker · Cessna 172N

Difficulty date
August 8, 2019
Submitted
January 15, 2020
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N3076E
Make and model
Cessna 172N
Aircraft serial
17271430
Engine
Lyc O320H2AD
Part
Rocker
Part number
LW15014
Condition
Broken
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
R
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

DURING FLIGHT BOTH PUSHRODS ON THE NR 3 CYLINDER BROKE THROUGH THE ROCKER ARMS CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON THAT CYLINDER AND ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH. AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED SAFELY, PARTS WERE CHARGED AND AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. LIKELY CAUSE IS CRACKS IN ROCKER ARMS DUE TO MANUFACTURING PROCESS. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS IT WAS REPORTEDLY OCCURRED ON OTHER AIRCRAFT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MANUFACTURER BUT THEY HAVE YET TO PRESENT A VIABLE SOLUTION.

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