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 final Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring the replacement of crankshafts in 3,774 Lycoming 360- and 540-series engines.
- Crankshafts must be replaced at normal overhaul, when the crankcase is split, or within 12 years of service, with replacement costs around $16,000 per engine, though Lycoming offers discounts or free replacement under specific conditions.
- Engine owners are dissatisfied with the cost burden, citing previous ADs where Lycoming covered full repair costs, leading to a class-action lawsuit against the company.
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