Service difficulty report · Crankshaft · Piper PA31

Difficulty date
August 13, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Piper PA31
Engine
Lyc TIO540A2C
Part
Crankshaft
Part number
13F17776
Condition
Broken
Location
Throw Area
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
Y
Precautionary procedure
A, E

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

What was found

(CAN) ENGINE FAILED IN FLIGHT. REPORT FROM OVERHAUL FACILITY DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED IN TWO (2) PLACES. THE SEPARATION OCCURRED IN THE THROW AREA (NOT THE MAIN BEARING JOURNAL). THE SUSPECTED CAUSE TO BE EITHER FATIGUE OR POSSIBLE OVERBOOST/PROP STRIKE SINCE LAST OVERHAUL.

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