Service difficulty report · Pin · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
August 25, 2012
Submitted
August 28, 2012
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N35497
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318052039
Aircraft time
15,805 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2B
Engine time
1,692 hours
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Pin
Part number
LW19210
Condition
Failed
Location
Nr 5 Cylinder
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
Y
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

DURING A CHECK FLIGHT ON NR 1 ENGINE, OPERATION AFTER MAINT OF MIXTURE ROD END REPLACEMENT PN 89307-000, THE NR 1 ENGINE FAILED. MAINT DISCOVERED THAT THE NR 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD HAD BROKEN AND PENETRATED THE CRANKCASE. THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE BROKEN. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO TRAILING COUNTERWEIGHT ATTACHMENT PIN BREAKAGE. THE COUNTERWEIGHT BECAME DISCONNECTED AND BROKE NUMEROUS ENGINE PARTS.

More about the Piper PA-31-350