Broken Parts

[Karl Towle]

I thought it might be interesting to start a thread showing broken parts "horror stories." Let's hear about parts that have broken, the stories of how they were discovered, and pictures if possible.

This one didn't happen to me, but Sal Buentello, my "cylinder" guy in Prosper Texas showed the part to me. He says it came from a running O-300, discovered via a suspicious compression check. Here's a picture of a piston from the top:

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Note the barely visible crack across the entire top of the piston. The crack went all the way around and through the skirt, at right angles to the wrist pin. Here's a picture looking through the gap:

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He said the cylinder would actually make compression - intermittently.

[170C]

Get Steve Grimsley to post photos and his story that occurred during our 2013 convention in Bardstown, KY.

[sfarringer]

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O-300-A broken crankcase around #6 cylinder.

I can't prove it, but I believe it was due to a bad batch of autofuel from Farm Bureau Co-op. Rod bearings had signs of detonation.

[blueldr]

I'm at a loss to undrstand the above. Please tell me how rod bearings are likely to show detonation.

[4583C]

Get Steve Grimsley to post photos and his story that occurred during our 2013 convention in Bardstown, KY.

Frank
If Steve has ever been on the forum I don't remember it, but I do happen to have the incrimingating photos. Can anyone come up with a pic of a case of worse "broken parts" that didn't include major airframe damage?

[cessna170bdriver]

OK, this one did involve some airframe damage; a Cherokee 140 prop leading edge fits nicely in the crease...

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The majority of the broken stuff in the first photo is being replaced, however here's one part that through the magic of annealing and some well-placed hammer blows, Mountain Airframe was able to resurrect:

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[johneeb]

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I know this is a Lycoming, it belongs to a buddy on his 500 Aero Commander. He was on his way to Peoria, IL to drop off the airplane for its annual inspection and have the engines majored. It blew up about 15 minutes short PIA, landing occurred without further incident although a little later then planned.

[sfarringer]

I'm at a loss to undrstand the above. Please tell me how rod bearings are likely to show detonation.

The rod bearings showed classic visual signs of overload, and detonation is one thing that can cause that. Overloading rod bearings in an O-300 with a fixed pitch prop is not a common problem.

[4583C]

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OK, this one did involve some airframe damage; a Cherokee 140 prop leading edge fits nicely in the crease...

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Some airframe damage???

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I think that in the engine category, Steve's engine will take a prize in any contest. And it was still running after he landed. Steve used it to taxi into the parking spot.

As for airframe damage, well Miles, the picture of your aircraft is pretty hard to beat. And to think your aircraft wasn't even in motion.

[c170b53]

Thanks Paul for reminding us, I had forgotten had bad that hit was. With a pic of the finished plane, the two together would make an excellent ad for Del's shop.

[cessna170bdriver]

OK, this one did involve some airframe damage; a Cherokee 140 prop leading edge fits nicely in the crease...

Some airframe damage???

It's easier to joke about it now...