My luck went bad last month when my Centurion was in for its annual inspection. Brandon Smith, a superb A&P, discovered a shiny new A.D. regarding the turbocharger. This A.D. was so new it wasn’t even in effect yet, but once he found the A.D. my plane was grounded. Specifically, it involved the V-band clamp holding the exhaust pipe to the turbocharger. Close inspection of my exhaust V-band clamp discovered excessive wear, along with a tiny crack. Exhaust systems are the hardest working parts of our airplanes. Like relatives who stay too long, a lot can go wrong. Clearly, the clamp needed replacement. But Smith’s favorite parts supplier was sold out — with 107 airplanes ahead of mine!
