The New Piper M600/SLS, Flight Across the Alps Into the Night

We were "airplaneless" till now after a turbine damage in the "new" M600 was discovered five months ago! Total time of the plane: 250 hours only. We had performance issues at altitudes above FL240. The specified performance data could not be achieved - there were no major deviations - a few knots only, but slightly increased ITT parameters also suggested a defect in the turbine. A borescope examination of the turbine revealed damage to the outer areas of the compressor turbine wheel blades in the hot section. A damage like this often occurs during hot starts or when ITT limits are exceeded. However, no overheating events are recorded in the log data, so there must be other causes. Meanwhile the damaged blades were repaired during a failed trial in Paris and a successful one in Canada. The refurbished turbine wheel was integrated into the turbine at the maintenance facility in Straubing, Bavaria. A test flight yesterday on July 9th was not successful. The turbine parameters at FL 280 and down to FL240 are still below the norms. Now the experts are looking more closely at the bleed air valve settings ... we will see what the upcoming weeks will show ... LIPB to EDMA Pilot: Markus Riedel