TCM Engine

[Dmax]

I have been asked to post to the various groups about TCM engines manufactured after June 1st of 2021. This applies to all TCM engines used in our Mooney's. It is not a Cirrus only problem. It applies to our Mooney aircraft as well. TCM is asking that these planes not be flown until the service bulletin comes out which hopefully will be Monday. TCM is not saying what the issue is except that it is serious. The scuttle butt from engine shops is that it has to do with the keepers that hold the counter weight pins in.

[Deb]

A bit of good news… [emphasis added]

From https://www.continental.aero/Potential-Safety-of-Flight-Issue.aspx:

“Continental has identified a potential safety of flight issue for aircraft equipped with Continental 360, 470, 520, 550 series engines and replacement crankshaft assemblies. Consequently, Continental is preemptively advising that an inspection should be performed to confirm that the crankshaft counterweight retaining ring was properly installed in new and rebuilt engines assembled between June 1, 2021, and February 7, 2023. This advice also applies to replacement crankshaft assemblies manufactured between June 1, 2021, through February 7, 2023. Continental proactively recommends that all flights powered by the aforementioned engines with less than 200 operating hours be limited to 5 additional flight hours with the essential crew to position the aircraft at a maintenance facility. To further clarify, Continental engines with over 200 hours may continue normal flight operations. A service bulletin with affected serial numbers will be forthcoming.”       
 

Edit: The Mandatory Service Bulletin is posted here: http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/MSB23-01.pdf.    
 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Deb
Added Continental Motors link for the MSB