The FAA on Friday published its final version of a controversial rule affecting crankshafts in 3,774 Lycoming 360- and 540-series engines. The Airworthiness Directive (AD), effective Nov. 3, requires owners to replace the crankshaft either at normal overhaul, when the crankcase is split for any reason, or within 12 years of the time the crankshaft was put into service. Replacement parts will cost about $16,000 per engine. Lycoming is offering to reduce that price to $2,000 for three years. If the routine overhaul is done at the Lycoming factory, the crankshaft will be replaced with no additional charge. But that hasn’t satisfied all owners, who note that in a previous crankshaft AD, the company bore the entire cost of repair. And, so, there’s the court system. One owner in California has filed a class-action suit calling for Lycoming to do the same this time. Lycoming has declined to comment on that suit.
FAA’s Final Rule — Replace Those Crankshafts
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for 3,774 Lycoming 360- and 540-series engines, requiring crankshaft replacement at overhaul, when the crankcase is split, or within 12 years of service.
- Replacement parts cost approximately $16,000, but Lycoming is offering a reduced price of $2,000 for three years or free replacement if the engine is overhauled at their factory.
- Owners are dissatisfied with Lycoming's partial cost coverage, referencing a prior AD where the company bore the entire cost, which has led to a class-action lawsuit demanding full responsibility from Lycoming.
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