SDR 99ZZZX3926

Service difficulty report · Pin Plug · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
September 16, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N38735
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
287790581
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Part
Pin Plug
Part number
60828
Condition
Destroyed
Location
Nr 1 & 2 Cyls
Part time
800 hours
Stage of operation
IN
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

OWNER NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN OIL PRESSURE DURING FLIGHT AND MADE AN IMMEDIATE LANDING AT THE NEAREST AVAILABLE AIRPORT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE OIL FILTER, MUCH ALUMINUM WAS FOUND. UPON REMOVAL OF THE NR 1 AND NR 2 CYLINDERS, IT WAS EVIDENT THE PISTON PIN PLUGS WERE DISINTEGRATING. POSSIBLE CAUSE - LACK OF USE AND MULTIGRADE OIL/SLUDGE BUILD UP CAUSING PLUG TO STICK. PREVENTION - REGULAR OIL ANALYSIS (SOAP) OR CUTTING OPEN FILTERS INSPECTING EVERY FILTER CHANGE.

More about the Piper PA-28-181