Service difficulty report · Diffuser · Beech A100

Difficulty date
June 26, 2012
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech A100
Engine
Pwa PT6A28
Propeller
Hartzl HCD4N3C
Part
Diffuser
Part number
3024767
Condition
Cracked
Location
Engine
Part time
12,549 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
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

(CAN) AFTER RECEIVING ENGINE, SN PCE-51835, BACK FROM OVERHAUL APPROXIMATELY 300 HRS AFTER AN OPEN TREND REQUEST BECAME OPEN ON THAT ENGINE STATING THE TEMPERATURE HAD INCREASED BY 20 DEGREES. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION TARGETING CALIBRATIONS, TEMP PROBES. THE CONDITION WAS NEVER FIXED. MAINTENANCE DECIDED TO DO A HOT SECTION INSPECTION AT 1616 HRS SINCE O/H TO INSPECT IN GREATER DETAIL THE HOT SECTION. MAINTENANCE FOUND 3 BADLY CRACKED DIFFUSER TUBES, MAINTENANCE INSTALLED 3 FIELD REPAIR KITS, PN 3102843-01 IN THE ENGINE IAW MFG RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUNCTION CHECKED THE ENGINE SERVICEABLE. HAVE CONCERNS THAT WE FOUND 3 CRACKED DIFFUSERS ONLY 1600 HRS AFTER O/H. HAVE DONE OVER 100 HOT SECTION INSPECTIONS IN MY CARRIER AND HAVE ONLY EVER SEEN 1 CRACKED TUBE THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. I THINK EITHER MY ENGINE HAS A HARMONIC VIBRATION OR A PROCEDURE THAT WAS PERFORMED DURING THE O/H PROCESS HAS ALTERED THE METALLURGY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TUBES. OUR COMPANY IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ENGINEERING AT AN APPROVED FACILITY TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION.

More about the Beech A100