Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 189; Flight Crew Total 5500; Flight Crew Type 3200
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
On climb the engine of my C206 made a loud pop and I experienced an immediate partial loss of engine power; so I returned to my departure airport. The engine was still developing power; and I had more than enough altitude to return to the airport safely; so I made the decision not to declare an emergency. The approach and landing were uneventful.Upon landing I pulled off the runway and pulled the mixture to stop the engine hoping to avoid any further damage. I contacted the company via phone to let them know that I had a problem and that they would have to reschedule my passengers. Upon return to my office I investigated the Company Operations Manual; Ops Specs; the FARs and AIM and determined that I was not required to report the occurrence to either the FAA or the NTSB; and I; therefore; did not report to either of the aforementioned entities.
Upon inspection I found a large hole in the crankcase at the oil filler port above number 4 cylinder and immediately grounded the aircraft.I subsequently filed a service difficulty report with the FAA 11 days after the event occurred. FAR 135.415(d) states I have 96 hours to file this report.
The pilot of a C206 returned to his departure airport after a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The extent of damage to the engine was not determined in a timely fashion for submission of a 'service difficulty report' to the FAA because the aircraft had to be airlifted to maintenance inspection personnel from its remote location.