Superior Air Parts announced that it is implementing an immediate and mandatory buy-back program for all XP-382 and XP-400 experimental engines.
The mandatory recall comes after a lengthy evaluation and testing process following identification of detonation problems with XP-400 engines.
Whilst the majority of engines were absolutely clean with no signs of stress wear or damage, a consistent root cause of the issues found with a few of the engines could not be defined and steps to adjust the engine’s ignition timing to reduce internal stress did not produce satisfactory results.
The company has grounded all XP-382 and XP-400 engines immediately.
While the detonation problems are currently confined to the XP-400 engines, the XP-382 shares so many of the same internal components that the decision was made to include that model in the program as well.