fbpx

 

Tecnam Astore 2015, Serial # 43. Flight 4/10/20:

 

Flying with one passenger. Twenty miles south of destination, ATW, I started to descend from cruising altitude of 7500’ MSL. Smelled smoke in cockpit. One-two minutes later, smoke was visible. Engine gauges all in green including one cylinder head temp, oil pressure, oil temp, fuel pressure, manifold pressure. 

Turned off cabin heat, turned on vents. Smoke cleared. Began to lose oil pressure, and engine power. On two mile base leg, I declared an emergency. Tower could see smoke trailing behind plane. Landed uneventfully. 

Took cowlings off. The engine had an oil change about five hours previous. There were a few drops of black oil on left lower cowling aft of filter. Filter, quick release drain tight with no evidence of leak. Scorching seen forward and about turbo which sits adjacent to the metal cuff around exhaust manifold for cabin heat. Belly of plane stained a bit with what looked like a smoke origin vs liquid oil. Can not be certain drops of oil and scorching were related to the cause or an effect of the failure.

About a pint of oil was drained from the reservoir.

Comments, advice welcome. Tecnam USA has been notified.

Would like to hear about any similar experiences, problems. 

  • Re: Rotax 914 Turbo

    by » 4 years ago


    Figure out where the Oil originated from.

    Clean up everything and give it a short run then reinspect.

     

    Recent OIL Change...  Confirm that the Oil filter was tightened.

    It should have been tightened 3/4 (270°) from the point where the gasket first made contact.

     

    Before touching anything, Mark the TOP of the Filter.

    Now try to loosen it One (360°) turn. Lefty Loosey!

    If it can be turned without a filter wrench, it is way too loose.

    Now start to tighten it until it starts to seat.

    Your top mark should now be somewhere near the 3 o'clock position.

    If so, tighten it 3/4 of a turn to the 12 o'clock position.

    Otherwise, make a new mark and then give it 3/4 of a turn.

     

    Your mechanic should have placed painted witness marks on the filter rim and the engine casing to show that it was properly tightened.

    How do those marks line up???

     

     The next thing to Check is that the Turbo Oil Sump is not "Coked Up".

    The Oil is pumped to the turbo bearings and then drips into the sump where it is sucked back to the Oil tank.

    If the drain Line is clogged with charred Oil (Coke) debris, the sump will overflow and oil will end up in the exhaust one way or the other.

     

     


    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.


  • Re: Rotax 914 Turbo

    by » 4 years ago


    Oil filter and quick drain area showed no evidence of leaks as I stated. There were only a few drops of oil on left bottom cowling. No evidence of major liquid oil spill/loss. Filter and quick drain were tight. 

    Staining on belly suggested smoke not liquid oil.

    Mechanics will work on it this week. 


  • Re: Rotax 914 Turbo

    by » 4 years ago


    Perhaps related to the turbo oil system. There is a very good video describing that system on this website.

     


  • Re: Rotax 914 Turbo

    by » 4 years ago


    Initial reports from mechanic:
     No metal in filter or scavenger pump. There were flakes of what appear to be brass in oil sump on bottom of turbo likely from bearing. Turbo blades, exhaust side were bent. Abnormal play found in turbo shaft. One supporting bracket for turbo was cracked indicating vibration prior to failure. No evidence of oil "coking".
    Oil analysis, bore scope pending.
    Link to photos is shown below. Any advice comments or reports of anything similar are welcome.

     

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wmrghn7hcl1soqq/AAD4-QWE9vev5zNPsGa8cw8pa?dl=0


    Thank you said by: Bill Hertzel

  • Re: Rotax 914 Turbo

    by » 4 years ago


    It sounds like the summary is that the Exhaust side Turbo bearing failed, causing the turbine blades to bend when they contacted the housing wall an also allow for the uncontrolled release of Oil into the muffler and out the exhaust creating all the smoke.

    It is not certain whether the cracked bracket caused to bearing to fail under vibration or the vibration caused by the failed bearing caused the bracket to fail.

    In either case, a replacement Bracket and Turbo Assemble are in your near future.

    It is not a welcomed answer to the Missing Oil question, but at least it is a solid answer.


    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.


    Thank you said by: RotaxOwner Admin

You do not have permissions to reply to this topic.