Service difficulty report · Cylinder · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
September 14, 2018
Submitted
September 17, 2018
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N443MC
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318252017
Aircraft time
7,731 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2B
Engine time
5,041 hours
Part
Cylinder
Part number
LW12966
Part serial
A135075
Condition
Cracked
Location
Lt Engine
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
D
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTIONS IT WAS NOTED THAT THE LT ENGINE APPEARED TO HAVE A FUEL LEAK ON NR 1 CYLINDER. UPON CLOSER VISUAL AND DYE PENETRANT INSPECTIONS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A CRACK EXISTED ACROSS THE APPROXIMATELY 1/8 INCH RIB THAT PARALLELS THE INTAKE VALVE CAVITY AND IS ADJACENT TO THE UPPER SPARK PLUG HOLE. ANOTHER COMPANY AIRCRAFT PREVIOUSLY HAD THE SAME FUEL STAIN ON THE LEFT ENGINE NR 1 CYLINDER AND DURING FLIGHT A HOLE DEVELOPED IN THE CYLINDER HEAD.

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