20 July 2005
Lycoming has issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin which greatly extends the crankshaft issue previously limited to high-horsepower six-cylinder engines.
The new MSB recalls crankshafts in more than 1000 engines manufactured, rebuilt, Overhauled or repaired since March 1, 1999. In addition, some 227 crankshafts not affiliated with a specific engine serial number are also affected. This is a group of engines distinct from the set of high-power, six-cylinder Lycomings that have been subject to a previous recall and Airworthiness Directive (AD) for crankshaft replacement.
Around 1,100 aircraft are affected, the majority being Robinson helicopters, followed by late-model Cessna 182s, some Piper models, and a scattering of other aircraft, including Commander 112s.
Lycoming claims to have all the replacement cranks in stock and, produced by new supplier Louisville Forge in Kentucky.
