SDR 98ZZZX2649

Service difficulty report · Rocker Shaft · Cessna 421B

Difficulty date
June 24, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N601PB
Make and model
Cessna 421B
Aircraft serial
421B0879
Engine
Cont GTSIO520H
Part
Rocker Shaft
Part number
SA631815
Condition
Failed
Location
Nr 4 Cyl Exh
Part time
60 hours
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
E, R, K
Precautionary procedure
E, A

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

What was found

LEFT ENGINE ROUGHENED IN-FLIGHT, HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN. SAFE LANDING MADE. MAINTENANCE FOUND NR 4 CYL EXHAUST PUSH ROD PUSHED THROUGH VALVE COVER. FOUND ROCKER SHAFT BOLTS BROKEN. CAUSE OF FAILURE BELIEVED TO BE FROM UNDERTORQUE AND IMPROPER SETTING OF BOLT SAFETY LOCKS. CYLINDERS WERE INSTALLED 60 HOURS PREVIOUSLY. BOLTS ON OTHER CYLINDERS FOUND UNDERTORQUED AND SAFTIES NOT FULLY SET. CYLINDER SENT FOR TEAR DOWN. VALVES WERE REPLACED. C/W RE-TORQUE AND NEW SAFETY TABS ON ALL CYLINDERS. OIL FILTER INSPECTED. OIL CHANGED. PROPER USE OF A CALIBRATED TORQUE WRENCH AND NOT RE-USING SAFETY TABS MAY HAVE PREVENTED THIS INCIDENT.

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