Service difficulty report · Cylinder Head · Cessna 172N

Difficulty date
November 14, 2011
Submitted
April 6, 2012
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N738AW
Make and model
Cessna 172N
Aircraft serial
17269834
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Part
Cylinder Head
Part number
SL3606WA1
Part serial
366WL0713193
Condition
Cracked
Location
Engine
Part time
1,415 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED, CAUSED AN ENGINE POWER REDUCTION ON TAKEOFF: A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO AIRPORT AND LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. VISIBLE IN COMBUSTION CHAMBER FROM .3750: BELOW INTAKE VALVE, CLOCKWISE THROUGH LOWER SPARK PLUG, AROUND OUTSIDE OF EXHAUST VALVE SEAT, THROUGH TOP SPARK PLUG TO BARREL INTERFACE. FROM EXTERIOR OF CYLINDER, CRACK IS VISIBLE FROM LOWER (INBD) EXHAUST STUD, UP AND AROUND THROUGH UPPER SPARK PLUG, TO BARREL JOINT AND AROUND TO JUST PAST INTAKE PORT. ENGINE APPROX 48 HOURS SINCE LAST 100 HOUR INSPECTION, WITH NO DEFECT NOTED AT THAT TIME. CYLINDER P/N IS SUBJECT IN AD 2007-04-19R1, SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT IN SUBJECT RANGE.

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