FAA Grounds 6,000 Private Planes
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered about 6,000 private planes grounded because faulty parts may have been installed in their engines during an overhaul.
The agency said the suspected unapproved parts may have come from Germany, sent in packages made to appear they were genuine parts for the Textron Lycoming engines.
FAA officials said about 85,000 Lycoming engines are in service in private planes, and it is believed that about 10% have been overhauled, with about 30% of that work done by Lycoming or with other proof of the use of certified parts.
The agency said it started an investigation after two incidents involving fractured connecting rod bolts. There were no injuries in either incident.
The FAA said the Lycoming engines in question are on a variety of planes, including those made by Beech, Aero Commander, Grumman American, Fuji Heavy Industries, Rockwell, Dornier Luftfahrt, as well as Cessna and Piper.
It said all the engines on overhauled planes must be inspected to be certain they have authentic parts before they can return to flight.
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