Ouch

[cjsmith]

There's an AD (Airworthiness Directive) out on Lycoming crankshafts. We haven't received notification by mail, but we had a phone call waiting on our answering machine last night: Rob got hit. His engine is within the range of serial numbers affected by this AD. As of that moment, his plane was defined to be unairworthy.

His engine will need to be removed and shipped to Lycoming, where a new crankshaft will be installed. There are roughly 2600 crankshafts affected, and Part 91 operators (roughly: general aviation) are on the bottom of the priority list, so he may be grounded for many months. Rumor has it that no good crankshafts are expected for four weeks yet, and that it may take up to eight months to fix everyone's.

So we're thinking about whether/how to get to Portland for Romana's wedding and whether/how to get to LA for Dave's wedding and we'll just have to drive to a couple of square dance calling engagements.

Naturally, fixed costs such as insurance, loan, tiedown spot, property tax, etc do not stop while a plane is grounded.

*sigh*

I'm just glad he's not the person (there's at least one) who got hit TWICE. This AD came out once before, and there's at least one guy who got his crankshaft replaced with a bad one and is now stuck for a second time.

Comments

*eeek*

[chiefted]

So definately grounded, plane wise.

Sorry to hear about that..was it the milling process or is it metalurgical in nature

Sorry being a science geek today and coupling that with something else to keep my mind occupied....

*head hits desk* Ug
Ted

Re: *eeek*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Metallurgical, I understand - a batch of bad steel. Need to find out more though.

Pretty tired today?

Re: *eeek*

[chiefted]

Well tired and with everything going on...lots of stress...think it will calm down now...I hope

Re: *eeek*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Hope so! My fingers are crossed for you.

I haven't found anything really useful to say in response to your posts but I'm still quietly hoping for the best.

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Is suing them for the costs of mainenance while the plane is grounded possible?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Anyone can sue anyone, I suppose, although personally I try to avoid suing anyone who can afford a better lawyer than I can ;-). Actually, the way it seems to be going, Lycoming's being much nicer about this than I imagined. They're doing other engine maintenance while the engines are torn down; that can be worth a tidy sum and can prevent more downtime later. Rob wants a new oil cooler, so he just might come out ahead on that alone. Rumor has it they're paying for business class tickets in cases where business travel would have been done by an affected airplane. Piper, manufacturer of the airplane but not the engine, may step in on planes still covered by Piper warranty and cover personal travel.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing this like a recall on an airplane part. Better safe than sorry.

Is the Lycoming (company) in Lycoming, PA? I *think* I know where the town is (central PA).

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's exactly it. (Although if the plane or the engine is no longer covered by warranty, the cost of fixing an AD generally comes out of the owner's pocket, unlike most recalls of anything else. And unlike, say, a car, it's illegal for Rob to use the plane.)

They are indeed in Pennsylvania; I wouldn't be surprised if they're in Lycoming. Their web site says their plant is in Williamsport. Is that nearby?

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Lycoming isn't far from Williamsport if I remember. I was in that area years ago when my ex was in a alcohol rehab place out that way. (Nice place, he didn't listen to them.)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Urr, yeah, it's often easier... in the short term, that is... not to listen to such a place. Long term, of course, is a different story. :-(

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

News tonight (NPR, forget which show, California Report?) said that the CHP uses those crankshafts, so there'll be no aerial speed-checking for awhile.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ah. I suppose I'm not too surprised. There's only one other piston aircraft engine manufacturer of any size (Continental). If I'd thought about it, I would have guessed fifty-fifty that the police would have Lycoming cranks.

Hope this isn't too bad for Lycoming as a business. Having two manufacturers alive and well is good.