Tom, I’ve got bad news for you,” Brian says when I answer the phone.
The phone call isn’t a surprise. I’ve expected the call every time my airplane was in the hands of a mechanic during the last year or so, but it isn’t welcome.
Airwork: Time to Pull the Plug?
Cessna Cardinal, with almost 450
hours passed TBO and 20 years since
it was overhauled, may have reached
retirement age. Tom Benenson
Key Takeaways:
- The author's high-time aircraft engine (2,440 hours SMOH) develops an intermittent rough-running problem during pre-flight checks that mechanics struggle to consistently diagnose.
- Despite inconclusive findings, mechanics recommend an engine overhaul due to its age and safety concerns, presenting the owner with a substantial estimated cost of $30,000-$40,000.
- This critical situation forces the owner to re-evaluate the financial viability and personal value of continued aircraft ownership against the significant repair costs and ongoing annual expenses.
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