5000 engines face ‘early retirement’
More than 5000 Lycoming Engines are facing early ‘retirement’ after a series of Service Bulletins (SBs) and Airworthiness Directives (ADs) regarding crankshaft problems.
An AD was confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (US version of the CAA) last month affecting engines in the AEIO-360, IO-360, O-360, LIO-360, and LO- 360 series.

The AD becomes effective on 27 April, giving six months or 50 hours operation, whichever comes first, to have the crankshaft replaced. The good news is that Lycoming has agreed to pay for the repairs.

Much more serious longer term is a mandatory Service Bulletin affecting approx 5100 crankshafts in certain 360, 390, 540 and 720 series engines. SB 569 calls for the retirement of these engines, defined by certain serial numbers, by early 2009 or at the first opportunity if the crankcases are opened for overhaul or inspection.

Both of these follow an earlier recall of almost 400 engines in 2005, and some 2400 engines in 2003. The problems follow manufacturing issues with crankshafts made between 1997 and 2002. Lycoming and a supplier are in litigation over finishing of the crankshafts.

Service Bulletins can be found at: www.lycoming.textron.com and Airworthiness

Directives at: W: www.faa.gov