Textron Lycoming issues mandatory crankshaft service bulletin

Textron Lycoming issued a crankshaft-replacement service bulletin on February 1 recalling 399 turbocharged TIO- and LTIO-540 engines. FAA sources tell AOPA's Government and Technical Affairs Division that it will be at least two weeks before the agency issues an airworthiness directive or a special airworthiness information bulletin. The FAA is looking at the service record to determine if normally aspirated 540 engines should be included.

Textron Lycoming's Mandatory Service Bulletin Number 550 calls for all engines listed in the dispatch to be "returned to the factory for crankshaft replacement within 10 hours of operation." Lycoming will reimburse affected owners for parts and labor, the bulletin says. "There is no field process currently available to identify crankshafts potentially affected," said Lycoming in the inclusive bulletin. AOPA knows of eight reports of broken crankshafts in the field.

Check Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin 550 to determine if your engine is included in this recall.

02-1-054x