Service difficulty report · Piston · Cessna 172

Difficulty date
May 26, 2023
Submitted
June 20, 2023
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4189F
Make and model
Cessna 172
Aircraft serial
46089
Aircraft time
4,100 hours, 4,100 cycles
Engine
Cont O300A
Engine time
570 hours, 570 cycles
Part
Piston
Part number
SA10200A20P
Part serial
20000012961
Condition
Failed
Location
Zone 400
Part time
1 hours, 1 cycles
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
R
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

INSTALLED NEW CYLINDER KIT WITH VALVES AND PISTON. PISTON MELTED AT UPPER RING, SCORED THE CYLINDER WALL, AND BLEW A HOLE THROUGH ONE SIDE. CYLINDER LOST ALL COMPRESSION AND OVERHEATED. METAL DEBRIS ENTERED THE ENGINE CASE AND ATTACHED TO THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS. CRANKSHAFT LOBES SHOW SOME METAL IMBEDDED AND PITTING IN LESS THAN 1-HOUR RUNNING TIME. PISTON PIN WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE PISTON OR CONNECTING ROD.

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