This was sent
to CASA, FAA, and Continental Motors. FYI. I will keep you posted
on further developments as they arise.
Fred Moreno
From: Frederick Moreno
[mailto:frederickmoreno@bigpond.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 31 August 2010 5:45 PM
To: 'chip_mcclellan@teledyne.com'; '9-AMC-AFS-SDR@FAA.GOV'; 'ALDER,
ROGER'
Subject: Preliminary report on IO-550 broken rocker arm
The preliminary
report prepared by Dr. Paul Townend of Metlabs Australia at my request is
attached for review and comment. It seems clear from the photos and
analysis conducted by Dr. Townend that there is a manufacturing defect in the
broken rocker arm associated with the casting process.
My next step is
to forward the broken rocker arm pieces to Continental for their review,
analysis and comments. For that to occur I am asking Roger Alder
for a CASA release so that I can ship the part to Continental per their request
for further investigation.
I would ask Pennie L. Thompson of the FAA SDR group to
reply confirming receipt of this email and attached report.
For Chip
McClellan of Continental, I propose sending the other eleven rocker arms to
you to support Continental’s internal investigation. Please provide
a shipping address to which I can forward the various parts.
Ideally I would appreciate it if you could provide a FEDEX customer
number that I can use for shipment. Upon shipment I can then provide
shipping details including consignment number for tracking.
The prevailing
opinion from all sources consulted is that all the rocker arms are likely from
the same production batch and thus prudence suggests reusing them would be
unwise. The report suggests that careful inspection using NDT methods
should be able to detect any similar flaws in other rocker arms. I would
expect Continental to conduct such an investigation. Be advised that I have no
interest in any legal action arising from this defect. I merely want to
make sure that new parts installed in my engine are safe and reliable, and that
any other defects which may occur are tracked down to assure the safety of
other aircraft in the fleet.
I would also
ask Continental to replace the rocker arms that I am returning with new units
that have been fully inspected and which satisfy all relevant Continental
manufacturing standards.
I look forward
to receiving the requested replies.
Regards,
Fred Moreno