What happened
On April 16, 2018, during an engine run-up procedure at Łódź Lublinek Airport (EPLL), the pilot in command of a Tecnam P2006T noticed unusual vibrations originating from the left engine. Due to the irregular operation, the pilot decided to return the aircraft to the parking apron.
Upon conducting a detailed technical inspection of the engine, investigators found that a piston in cylinder number 2 had crumbled, resulting in damage to the cylinder wall and two piston rings. Following the discovery, the ignition system, carburetor settings, and synchronization were all inspected and found to be within normal operating parameters. Additionally, laboratory analysis of the fuel showed no deviations from standard quality requirements. There were no recorded instances of the engine exceeding permissible operating parameters during its previous service history.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the operator's commission, focused on identifying the source of the vibration and the cause of the internal engine damage. Because the engine was still under warranty, the damaged components were sent to the manufacturer for laboratory analysis. The manufacturer's investigation was unable to determine the precise root cause of the initial failure, likely because the secondary damage caused by the engine's continued operation until taxiing obscured the original defect.
Findings
- The vibration was caused by internal damage within cylinder number 2 of the left engine.
- The direct cause of the initial component failure could not be established.
- Secondary damage occurred within the cylinder during the period between the onset of the malfunction and the aircraft's arrival at the parking stand.
Safety action
An agreement was reached with the maintenance organization to ensure that the operator is notified of similar engine damage incidents. This measure is intended to monitor the frequency of such occurrences and facilitate the implementation of appropriate preventive measures.