SDR 97ZZZX1827

Service difficulty report · Gear · Cessna 421

Difficulty date
February 6, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4584L
Make and model
Cessna 421
Aircraft serial
4210184
Part
Gear
Condition
Detached
Location
Alternator Drive
Component
976J4171
Stage of operation
NR
Nature of condition
H
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

PILOT LOST POWER FROM THE ALTERNATOR. UPON INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE GEAR HAD FALLEN OFF THE ALTERNATOR, INSIDE THE ENGINE, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE IN THE FORWARD RIGHT-HAND HALF OF THE CRANKCASE. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE, THE CAMSHAFT CLUSTER GEARS, P/N 537432 AND P/N 535662, WERE FOUND LOOSE. THE CAMSHAFT GEAR RETAINING SCREWS WERE 'FINGER LOOSE', BUT LOCK WIRED. THE ALTERNATOR HAD APPROXIMATELY 130 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL, BUT THE ENGINE LOG IS UNCLEAR AS TO THE ACTUAL INSTALLMENT DATE. THE ENGINE HAS APPROXIMATELY 150 HOURS SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL AND APPROXIMATELY 43.5 HOURS SINCE A COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY.

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