Service difficulty report · Rod Bolt · Diamon DA40NG

Difficulty date
February 9, 2024
Submitted
February 9, 2024
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N517BL
Make and model
Diamon DA40NG
Aircraft serial
40NC197
Aircraft time
1,573 hours
Engine
Austro E4
Engine time
1,573 hours
Part
Rod Bolt
Part number
E4A10100202
Condition
Sheared
Location
Engine
Part time
1,573 hours
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
K, E, T
Precautionary procedure
E, A

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

What was found

UNUSUAL CLANGING SOUNDS HEARD DURING A TRAINING FLIGHT. IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO BASE AND GAINED ALTITUDE TO ASSURE SAFE LANDING AT JNX. AFTER 2 MILES, A DUAL ECU FAIL BECAME ACTIVE DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. CONTINUED FLIGHT AT IDLE. AT 3 MILES FROM BASE, OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO. THE PILOTS LANDED THE AIRCRAFT SAFELY WITHOUT ANY OTHER INCIDENT, AND THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN DURING TAXI ON TAXIWAY. ENGINE WAS UNCOWLED AND FOUND A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF OIL PAN, THE MECHANICS FOUND A JOURNAL BEARING BOLT HEAD HAD SHEARED AND BOUNCED AROUND INSIDE THE CRANKCASE, CREATING 3 HOLES OF SIGNIFICANT SIZE AND SOME CRACKS.

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