Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA32300

Difficulty date
September 9, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA32300
Engine
Lyc IO540K1G5
Part
Bolt
Part number
1937
Condition
Sheared
Location
Crankshaft
Component
67514
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
Y
Precautionary procedure
B, A

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

What was found

(CAN) PILOT EXPERIENCED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING, INVESTIGATION REVEALED CAMSHAFT WAS NOT TURNING WITH PROP ROTATION. THE REMOVAL REAR CASE SHOWED CRANKSHAFT GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLT AND DOWEL WERE SHEARED. THE GEAR WAS OUT OF MESH WITH REMAINING GEAR TRAIN. THE WRENCH FLATS ON BOLT HEAD WERE ROUNDED OFF INDICATING GEAR HAD BEEN RUNNING LOOSE FOR SOME TIME. LT MAGNETO HAD A CRACKED CASE, ONE IMPULSE COUPLING STOP PIN WAS SEVERELY WORN AND FLYWEIGHTS WERE LOOSE DUE TO WORN RIVETS. THE SUBMITTER SUGGESTS THAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY 2 FAULTS: THE GEAR WAS LOOSE, AND, MAGNETO STOPPED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN IMPULSE COUPLING WHICH FORCED GEAR TO SHEAR.

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