# SDR FWRA2001003

- Type: Service difficulty report (as reported; unverified)
- Difficulty date: May 11, 2001
- Submitted: May 23, 2001
- Operation: Air carrier
- Aircraft: N45008
- Make and model: Piper PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Aircraft serial: 318052167
- Engine: Lyc TIO540J2BD
- System (JASC): [8520 · Reciprocating Engine Power Section](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/8520)
- Part: Thru Bolt
- Part number: 76220
- Condition: Fractured
- Location: Nr 3 Cylinder
- Stage of operation: CR
- How discovered: O
- Nature of condition: A, R
- Precautionary procedure: A
- FAA source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System (https://sdrs.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/sdr/FWRA2001003

## Discrepancy

AT CRUISE FLIGHT, THE NR 3 CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE CASE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT FIRE.  THE ENGINE CASE, CYLINDER HOLD DOWN STUDS, THROUGH BOLT STUDS AND NR 3 CONNECTING ROD WERE SENT FOR LABORATORY INVESTIGATION.    THE INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSION:  THE PRIMARY CAUSE WHICH LED TO THE SEPARATION OF THE NR 3 CYLINDER WAS THAT THE THROUGH BOLT STUDS WERE MOST LIKELY NOT PROPERLY TORQUED.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.