Service difficulty report · Pin · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
June 2, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Part
Pin
Part number
SL134441
Condition
Fractured
Location
Nr 1 Cylinder
Part time
1,706 hours
Stage of operation
CL
Nature of condition
K, J, 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) SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE CREW NOTICED A POWER FLUCTUATION ON NR 1 ENG AND SELECTED THE BOOSTER PUMP ON TO STABILZE ENGINE, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. ENG STARTED TO SURGE, LOSS OF MANIFOLD AND OIL PRESSURE. A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF OIL WAS COMING FROM THE ENG COWLING, SO THE ENG WAS SHUT DOWN AND THE A/C RETURNED TO BASE. DISASSY OF THE ENG FOUND NR 1 CYL PISTON PIN HAD BEEN BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BUSHING FOR SOME TIME UNTIL THE PISTON SKIRT AND BEARING BOSS HAD BROKEN AWAY DUE TO UNEVEN LOADING. THE BROKEN PARTS WERE TOSSED AROUND INSIDE THE ENG AND GOT TRAPPED UNDER THE LIFTER BODY TOP HATS WHICH BROKE HOLES IN THE CRANKCASE IN TWO PLACES CAUSING OIL LOSS AND LED TO ENGINE SHUT-DOWN.

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