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

[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. :-(