Cirrus Aircraft has notified owners and operators of Cirrus SR22 and SR22T aircraft built from June 1, 2021, through Feb. 7, 2023, of an issue with the aircrafts’ Continental engines.
The letter to customers is “purely for safety caution,” a spokesperson told Aviation Week. “We are not aware of any incident or accident involving a Cirrus aircraft at this time.”
Cirrus says it expects Continental to issue a Service Bulletin in the near future, detailing the specific range of aircraft affected, the root of the cause and corrective action needed, the letter to owners says.
“Cirrus Aircraft has been informed by Continental Aerospace Technologies (Continental) of an issue that affects engines that power both ... models,” the company said in a letter to customers. “While we are still working with Continental to determine the scope of the issue and the specific serial number range of affected aircraft, we are proactively making the decision—out of an abundance of caution—to pause all internal Cirrus Aircraft company flight operations” on SR22 and SR22T aircraft manufactured during the specific time period. It also has issued a Certificate of Airworthiness.
“Cirrus Aircraft continues to operate without restrictions all its SR20s, as well as SR22s and SR22Ts manufactured before June 1, 2021, or after February 7, 2023,” the letter said.
Continental, in a statement, says it has identified a possible safety of flight issue for aircraft equipped with Continental 360, 470, 520 and 550 series engines and replacement crankshaft assemblies.
"Consequently, Continental is preemptively advising that an inspection should be performed to confirm that the crankshaft counterweight retaining ring was properly installed in new and rebuilt engines assembled between June 1, 2021, and February 7, 2023," the company said in a statement. "Continental proactively recommends that all flights powered by the aforementioned engines with less than 200 operating hours be limited to 5 additional flight hours with the essential crew to position the aircraft at a maintenance facility."
To clarify, Continental engines with more than 200 hours may continue normal flight operations, it says.
"A service bulletin with affected serial numbers will be forthcoming," the statement says.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with a statement from Continental.
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