Service difficulty report · Seal · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
April 13, 2006
Submitted
June 6, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
12,938 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Seal
Part number
4038180047
Condition
Failed
Location
Turbocharger
Component
Turbocharger · Garrtt
Component part number
4091709001
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

PRIOR TO A TRAINING FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTED THE LT ENGINE OIL LEVEL TO BE AT 9 QUARTS. AFTER THE FLIGHT, OIL WAS FOUND ON THE LT GEAR DOOR AND THE ENGINE WAS DOWN TO 6 QUARTS. MAINTENANCE INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND FOUND OIL AT THE LOW POINT OF THE TURBOCHARGER AND BADLY OIL FOULED SPARK PLUGS. THE TURBOCHARGER OIL SEAL HAD FAILED AND WAS ALLOWING OIL INTO THE COMPRESSOR SIDE OF THE TURBO. THE OIL WAS THE BEING INDUCTED INTO THE CYLINDERS WITH A PORTION OF IT BEING BURNED AND A PORTION OF IT BEING EXHAUSTED.

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