Hans Conser wrote:

>From avweb:

CHP Grounds Cessna Fleet

              The California Highway Patrol (CHP) decided to ground all 14 of its Cessna Turbo 206 aircraft after one made an
              emergency landing. Last week, CHP Pilot John McDermott landed his plane safely after experiencing a total engine
              failure at 9,000 feet en route from Redding to Clear Lake, Calif. The Cessna Turbo 206 that he was flying was only a
              few weeks old and one of 14 acquired by the CHP last month. Local media quoted agency officials as indicating that
              they had found a crack in the aircraft's engine case. The crack, found on both halves of the Lycoming TIO-540
              engine, was described by CHP officials as a fault-line that covered "one third the circumference of the block."

              If that wasn't enough, the FAA has released a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) for Lycoming
              TIO-540 engines, which deals with main a bearing delamination that leads to total engine seizure. The SAIB was
              issued August 16 and affects engines constructed with front main bearings installed after August 24, 2000.
              According to some sources, the CHP is in the process of deciding whether to send the airplanes back, and not
              accepting delivery of the remaining 20 on order. For now, the aircraft remain grounded. For those of you who think that this is your "ticket" to speed along the state's highways,
              think again. The CHP announced that they still have at least one Cessna 185 flying over the I-5 corridor.

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