Running Past TBO

[Paul Sharp]

Have a question for the group: My rear engine is now at TBO. I planned continuing use of it until it no longer meets specs and/or safety

My shop (and they are the best anywhere around, too) mentioned that they are hesitant to sign it off on an annual once it reaches 100 hrs. past TBO. The problem isn't anything except liability. They pointed out that some defense lawyer would have no trouble making them look guilty for signing off on something that the manufacturer felt was safe - i.e. the TBO time. So I can't blame them. No one wants to spend the years it takes to build up a business and then have it gone in one lawsuit due to some freak accident that might occur. And we all know how sick our legal system is and how simple these kinds of things are to bring ruin on anyone/everyone/sans all responsibility.

Well what I'm wondering about is maybe keeping up the maintenance and all as usual, but when annual time comes, finding an IA who will sign it off who doesn't own a shop and have all that risk. Lawyers won't bother to sue when there's no deep pocket (or at least a deep enough one) to recover from.

I don't know just what I'll do but I'm wondering how/if some of the rest of you feel about this or have approached it. At the rate I fly I could - barring something else happening to the engine that required an overhaul sooner - probably get 3-4 years more out of it, give or take how the engine does, etc.

Input and thoughts appreciated.