FAA Orders Checks on Lycoming Engine Rods for Safety
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own or work with certain Lycoming airplane engines, this new rule means you need to keep checking and possibly replace some connecting rod parts to keep engines safe. The FAA found more parts that could cause trouble, so they’re expanding the inspections and replacements starting April 8, 2026. This helps prevent engine failures but might cost some time and money for parts and labor.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Bushing replacement required as fix
As a terminating action, you must replace connecting rod bushings with parts eligible for installation (P/N 01K28983 or AEL13923, or assemblies P/N AEL11750, AEL78030, SL78030, SL77450, SL13937, SL19332, SL11750, SL13422). Affected part ship date range is 01/30/2009–09/09/2021. The FAA estimates replacement cost per bushing at $762 (4.5 work-hours at $85/hour plus $380 parts) and estimates total U.S. operator cost of $34,405,824 for replacements across affected engines.
Routine oil-screen checks required
Starting April 8, 2026, if your airplane has a listed Lycoming part, you must inspect the engine oil filter, oil pressure screen, or oil suction screen at the next oil change or within 4 months (whichever is first) and at every oil change until the connecting rod bushings are replaced. The FAA estimates this AD affects 45,152 U.S.-registered engines and estimates a per-inspection cost of $235 (2 work-hours at $85/hour plus $65 parts).
Immediate bushing checks if metal found
If any bronze metal particulates are found during an inspection, you must, before further flight, inspect all affected connecting rod bushings for damage, fit, movement, and wear following Lycoming MSB 630B; a connecting-rod-bushing inspection is estimated at $85 (1 work-hour at $85/hour). Owner/operators holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the oil-screen inspections and must log compliance in aircraft records per 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
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