Service difficulty report · Connecting Rod · Cessna 404CESSNA

Difficulty date
February 18, 1996
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Cessna 404CESSNA
Engine
Cont GTSIO520M
Propeller
Mcauly 3FF32C501
Part
Connecting Rod
Part number
632043
Condition
Broken
Location
#5 Cylinder
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
Y
Precautionary procedure
E

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

What was found

(CAN) #5 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AND FRACTURED R/H HALF OF CRANKCASE AND CAMSHAFT BROKE. SUBMITTER SUSPECTS THAT ENGINE HAD BEEN OVERPRIMED PREVIOUSLY AND HAD CAUSED A HYDRAULIC LOCK ON THE CYLINDER BENDING THE CONNECTING ROD CAUSING IT TO FAIL SOMETIME LATER. #5 CYLINDER IS LOWEST POINT ON INBOARD SIDE OF THE LEFT HAND ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO NO INTAKE MANIFOLD DRAIN PROVIDED AT THIS LOCATION. THIS IS A FAULT WITH CESSNA 300 AND 400 SERIES ENGINES.