16 February 2009
Teledyne Continental Motors has voluntarily recalled thousands of Continental aircraft piston engine cylinders. Around 9,600 cylinders are affected.
The recall follows the discovery of cracks in cylinder head castings of 36 cylinders on engines exceeding 400 hours of use. As a result, and as a precautionary measure, nearly 10,000 ‘fielded’ cylinders will be replaced “at no cost to the affected customers,” says Teledyne. The company says its will “take a pretax charge of approximately $18 million during the first quarter to cover estimated costs.”
The affected cylinder heads were cast on a particular production tool and “shipped since November 2007. Head castings from such cylinders may be subject to developing cracks at the top of the cylinder head near the fuel injector and spark plug bosses.”
There are two numbers – 888-200-7565 in the US or 251-436-8665 internationally – to call if you think you may be affected; there is also a website at <a href=’http://www.tcmlink.com/cylinders’ target=’_blank’>www.tcmlink.com/cylinders</a> if you want to know more.
Teledyne has also issued an FAA <a href=’http://www.tcmlink.com/cylinder_recall/pdf/msb09-1.pdf’ target=’_blank’>Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB09-1)</a>.
The affected models are the 470, 520 and certain 550 series engines. Aircraft involved may include Bellanca Super Vikings, Beechcraft Debonairs, Bonanzas and Barons, Commanders, Meyers and Navions; as well as certain Cessnas from the 180 upwards.
