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

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

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

[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).

[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.