Lycoming - What is the real story???

[Ice_man]

Hi all.

I was wondering if anybody can put me in touch with a thread or give me any information on recent failures of TIO-540 factory engines. We had one fail some time ago and the rumors are that it has been happening quite a bit lately. I also heard there may be some legal action pending. Can anyone help.

Regards,

Ice.

[Cyclic Hotline]

There have been a significant number of problems with these engines in the recent past. I do not operate any myself (all Continental), but I have maintained them and have close contact with others operating them. The real crunch came this summer when the California Highway Patrol suffered 2 engine failures on their brand new C206's. They grounded their fleet and were very vocal in their criticism of Cessna and Lycoming.

Other operators that I am familiar with had no end of problems with their "new" 206's and were very disappointed with them. Never ending stream of AD's, SB's and repair and rectification work (not what you plan for with a new aircraft!).

Couple of links here;

CHP press release. http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/01-26.pdf

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin. http://www.lycoming.textron.com/support/service_publications/airworthiness/NE-01-37.pdf

Lycoming Service Bulletin SB 480D. http://www.lycoming.textron.com/main.html

As you mentioned, there is in fact a class action lawsuit that has been filed by Piper Malibu Mirage owners (who also experienced a number of failures). The web-site is quite extensive, including the depositions of various players in the suit. I am sure that the Cessna owners will follow suit (sic) if this succeeds! http://www.textronenginelitigation.com/

After the $480 million Cessna 185 suit that Textron lost earlier this year, they may conclude that it is simply time to exit the business completely!

Interested to know what type(s) you are operating?

[ 18 December 2001: Message edited by: Cyclic Hotline ]

[Cyclic Hotline]

Further to the above information. The following story on Avweb today.

[quote]. .Textron Lycoming to issue a recall of TIO- and LTIO-540 engines rated 300 hp or higher. Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 550 presently applies to about 400 of these engines, identified by serial number. It requires that the affected engines be returned to Lycoming...<hr></blockquote>

<a href="http://www.avweb.com/newswire/news0206a.html#1" target="_blank">AVweb article here.</a>

This ain't gonna be good! (Edited due to Lycoming-like quality problems) <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[ 04 February 2002: Message edited by: Cyclic Hotline ]</p>

[Dale Harris]

curious about textrons link to cessna 185's they had continentals. did textron own cessna at the time?

[Cyclic Hotline]

Very interesting point!

Textron purchased Cessna from General Dynamics in January 1992. It may be that this liability was assumed (and probably not assessed at this value) when Textron purchased the Cessna Aircraft Company. I do not know the answer.

In this contemporary thread regarding the <a href="http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=53&t=000775&p=" target="_blank">Cessna 185 lawsuit</a> here on PPRuNe, the reports state that Cessna Aircraft Company was found liable.