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The ‘Colossal Mistake’ May Lead to a Colossal Bill

A first-lesson faux pas caused damage, although it wasn’t readily apparent.

When undergoing routine maintenance, the sight of an uncowled engine is interesting. When undergoing unexpected maintenance, it can be chilling. [Photo: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author's newly purchased airplane suffered significant internal engine damage, including cracked cylinders and reduced compression, stemming from a previous overheating incident caused by a forgotten cowl plug.
  • A mechanic's thorough inspection confirmed the extensive damage, with repair estimates for new cylinders and rings reaching thousands of dollars, posing a major financial challenge.
  • Facing potentially crippling repair costs or an engine overhaul, the author received a hopeful lead from his instructor about a possible spare engine from a contact.
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Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series. You can read the first part here.

One of my favorite writers is an adventure travel writer named Tim Cahill. He has made a career of getting into precarious situations in remote corners of the globe, deftly extricating himself from danger, and then writing about it so we can experience his adventures from the comfort of our living room couches.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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