Service difficulty report · Cylinder · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
April 7, 2016
Submitted
April 13, 2016
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N45038
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318052202
Aircraft time
8,993 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Engine time
9,715 hours
Part
Cylinder
Condition
Separated
Location
Nr 2
Part time
9,715 hours
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
A
Precautionary procedure
E, A

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

What was found

WHILE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OUT FROM LANDING AIRPORT, THE CREW NOTICED FIRE SHOOTING THROUGH THE UPPER COWLING OF THE LT ENGINE. CREW SHUTDOWN ENGINE IN FLIGHT. VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE NR 2 CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE CASE DUE TO HOLD DOWN STUD FAILURE. THE MOVEMENT OF THE CYLINDER CAUSED THE EXHAUST TO BREAK, THUS ALLOWING RAW FLAME EXHAUST TO BURN THROUGH THE COWLING.

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