The FAA on Thursday issued an airworthiness directive (AD) requiring the replacement of certain crankshafts on five models of Lycoming engines. The AD was spurred by a crankshaft failure in a Lycoming LO-360-A1H6 reciprocating engine.
This latest action is a continuation of efforts to repair crankshafts that were manufactured through a faulty process and could cause engine failure. It affects nearly 300 engines that have been installed on popular aircraft, including models manufactured by Beechcraft, Cessna, Mooney, and Piper, and is estimated to cost $15,300 per engine.
"Lycoming has said that it will supply the new parts free of charge, pay for the shipping, and pay for the labor cost of removing and reinstalling the engines," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy. "This will help soften the blow to aircraft owners and help save them a substantial amount of money."
The AD affects 282 engines in the AEIO-360, IO-360, O-360, LIO-360, and LO-360 series. When the AD becomes effective on April 27, you will have six months or 50 hours time in service, whichever comes first, to have the crankshaft replaced.
First, see if any of the affected engine models have been installed on your model of aircraft. If so, go to Lycoming's service bulletin supplement to find out if your engine serial number is affected.
If you had a new, rebuilt, or overhauled Lycoming engine, or had the crankshaft in your engine replace before March 1, 1999—and you haven't had it replaced since—then you are in the clear.
If your engine is affected, contact Lycoming (570/323-6181) to schedule the return of your engine for crankshaft replacement.
March 24, 2006