Continental (L)TSIO-360 Engines - Air Reference Tube failures
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators and maintenance personnel should inspect Continental TSIO-360 and LTSIO-360 engines for aluminium air reference tubes P/N 641082 and replace them with steel tubes P/N 646114 following Continental Service Bulletin M82-7 instructions. No mandatory compliance deadline is specified, but timely replacement is advised to mitigate risk. For technical assistance, contact Continental Motors or EASA Safety Information Section.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin SIB No. 2012-02 addresses air reference tube failures in Continental TSIO-360 and LTSIO-360 series engines, commonly installed on Mooney Model M20K and various Piper aircraft models including PA28-201T and PA34-220T. The bulletin reports a broken aluminium air reference tube Part Number 641082 found on a Piper PA-28R-201T and clarifies that the failed tube was not a genuine Continental Motors part. This document provides safety information and recommendations but does not mandate regulatory action.
What changed
EASA SIB No. 2012-02 introduces a recommendation to replace aluminium air reference tubes P/N 641082 with steel tubes P/N 646114 as per Continental Service Bulletin M82-7. It clarifies that the failure was due to non-approved parts and does not constitute an unsafe condition requiring an Airworthiness Directive. The bulletin serves as an advisory rather than a mandatory directive.
Why it matters
This bulletin is important for aviation professionals because it highlights potential reliability issues with non-approved air reference tubes in certain Continental engines, which could affect engine performance and safety. Operators and maintenance organizations need to be aware of the recommended replacement to maintain engine integrity and avoid possible failures. Compliance teams should note that while not mandatory, following the recommendation supports best practices and safety assurance.
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