Service difficulty report · Bushing · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
April 10, 2007
Submitted
June 7, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
12,206 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Bushing
Condition
Worn
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
E
Precautionary procedure
E, A

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

What was found

(CAN) DURING CRUISE PORTION OF THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED A VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY A NOISE AND LOSS OF OIL. THE PILOT SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE AND DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND LANDED SAFELY. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO AN ENGINE SHOP FOR A TEARDOWN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COUNTERWEIGHT BUSHING WAS WORN THUS CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY. THIS EXCESSIVE PLAY CAUSED THE COUNTERWEIGHT CHEEK TO BREAK AND THE COUNTERWEIGHT COMING LOOSE INSIDE THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO ENGINE OVERSPEED AT SOMETIME OR ANOTHER. (TC NR 20070511003)

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