Incident Overview
On April 16, 2018, at Łódź Lublinek Airport (EPLL), a Tecnam P2006T aircraft experienced an incident during an engine runup. The pilot-in-command, a professional airline transport pilot with instructor rating, detected unusual vibrations from the left engine. The pilot decided to return to the parking apron.
Inspection Findings
A thorough inspection of the left engine revealed a chipped piston in cylinder #2, damage to the cylinder wall, and two damaged piston rings. The ignition system, carburetor settings, and carburetor synchronization were checked and found to be within normal parameters. Laboratory tests of the fuel showed no deviations from standards. During the engine's operational history, no exceedances of permitted engine parameters had been recorded.
Manufacturer's Examination
The engine was under warranty, so the damaged components were sent to the manufacturer for analysis. The manufacturer did not determine the cause of the damage, likely due to secondary damage that occurred during continued operation from the onset of the malfunction until the aircraft was taxied to its parking position. The manufacturer covered the cost of engine overhaul under warranty.
Probable Cause
The incident, characterized by engine vibrations, was caused by damage in cylinder #2 of the left engine. The direct origin of the damage could not be established.