SDR AU981275

Service difficulty report · Turbocharger · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
September 15, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2
Part
Turbocharger
Part number
AO91709001
Condition
Failed
Location
Rt Engine
Stage of operation
CL
Nature of condition
E, R
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

(AUS) RIGHT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSOR/TURBINE SHAFT FAILED ALLOWING THE SHAFT TO RUN ECCENTRIC. THE COMPRESSOR BLADES THEN RUBBED ON THE HOUSING ERODING THE BLADES WHICH WERE THEN INJESTED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INDUCTION SYSTEM. EVENTUALLY ONE SECTION OF THE COMPRESSOR BLADE SHEARED OFF AND DISINTEGRATED BEFORE ENTERING THE ENGINE. LOSS OF APPROXIMATELY 1.5 LITRES OF OIL OCCURRED. THE ENGINE OIL FILTER WAS REMOVED AND WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A LARGE AMOUNT OF MAINLY NON-MAGNETIC METAL. STRIP INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE FOUND NO COMPONENT FAILURE, BUT FOUND SEVERE METAL CONTAMINATION OF THE BEARINGS, SUMP AND OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE.

More about the Piper PA-31-350