Service difficulty report · Gas Generator · Airtrc AT802A

Difficulty date
March 18, 2007
Submitted
May 5, 2008
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N803DG
Make and model
Airtrc AT802A
Aircraft serial
802A0077
Aircraft time
4,731 hours, 11,354 cycles
Engine
Pwc PT6A67AG
Engine time
4,731 hours, 11,354 cycles
Propeller
Hartzl HCB5MA3
Part
Gas Generator
Part number
310718501
Condition
Eroded
Location
Engine
Part time
4,731 hours, 11,354 cycles
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

BROKEN 'T' HEAD BOLT SHANK FOUND IN COWLING. MANUFACTURER REP VISITED AND TOOK PICTURES OF ERODED GAP IN THE 'C' FLANGE AT THE SCAVENGE TUBE COUPLING LOCATION WHERE THE BOLT HAD BEEN SEVERED. THE DAMAGE TO THE BOLT, FLANGE MATING SURFACES AND COUPLING ARE CLEARLY NOT THE RESULT OF CORROSION BECAUSE THE SURFACES IN THE AREAS OF DAMAGE ARE CLEAN AND HAVE AN ALMOST POLISHED APPEARANCE. SIMILAR ENGINES HAVE A SEALING RING INCORPORATED INTO THE FLANGE APPARENTLY FOR THIS VERY REASON. THE MANUFACTURER REPS HAVE STATED THAT THIS EROSION IS UNEXPLAINED AND THEREFORE IS NOT A SAFETY OF FLIGHT ISSUE. THE MACHINING OF THE FLANGES AND INSTALLATION OF SEALING RING WOULD BE A START FOR REPAIRS, AND THE SOLUTION WOULD BE A CLOSE INVESTIGATIO INTO THE FLANGE/WELD ATTACHMENT AT THE PART PRODUCTION LEVEL.