Information requested on some damaged crankshafts
AOPA is requesting that operators of aircraft powered by Lycoming O-360 and IO-360 engines using Superior Air Parts SL36500-A20 and SL36500-A31 PMA crankshafts provide information on any failures or surface cracking, fracture, or continuous white layer on the bearing journals of the crankshafts.
The FAA is seeking the information from the aviation community through AOPA and other groups after several of the crankshafts failed or were found to have cracks.
The FAA has requested this information through the Airworthiness Concern Process, a cooperative information-sharing initiative between industry and the FAA intended to allow industry to engage with the agency on airworthiness issues before or in lieu of a proposed or final airworthiness directive (AD) is issued.
At this time the FAA has made no determination on what corrective action, if any, will be necessary.
