Location: Seguin, TX
Certificates: Comm ASEL/RH CFII ASEL/RH Comm GL
Posts: 62
Threads: 9
Joined: Dec 2025
Reputation:
8
Mine didn't blow up in flight, but it was eating itself up. If I had continued to use it, I would have had a catastrophic engine failure. I ended up pulling the engine and getting Joe Huff to fix it.
Location: West Plains Missouri
Certificates: A&P/CFI helicopter
Posts: 113
Threads: 35
Joined: Jan 2026
Reputation:
16
Wise choice Tim. One engine out in your ship was certainly enough to get both of our attention. No repeats needed.
Location: Seguin, TX
Certificates: Comm ASEL/RH CFII ASEL/RH Comm GL
Posts: 62
Threads: 9
Joined: Dec 2025
Reputation:
8
BTY Orv - THANKS for getting involved with this forum.
Location: West Plains Missouri
Certificates: A&P/CFI helicopter
Posts: 113
Threads: 35
Joined: Jan 2026
Reputation:
16
I will continue to contribute interesting posts Tim. You have some stories that would also be of interest that you should post as well. The more people post the more others will use this web site to everyone’s benefit. Happy fourth Tim.
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
Certificates: A&P, Rotorcraft CPL/CFI
Posts: 92
Threads: 13
Joined: Dec 2025
Reputation:
20
i am curious what caused this cam failure? was it the same engine with that siezed roller shaft rocker?
for the longevity of this design these engines have to be overhauled or a replacement engine found that can be deemed reliable and servicable. i'm thinking 20+ years down the road, joe huff has expressed he would love to retire someday! haha.
Location: West Plains Missouri
Certificates: A&P/CFI helicopter
Posts: 113
Threads: 35
Joined: Jan 2026
Reputation:
16
The cam failure was caused by the engine builder installing hydraulic lifters in the engine. These bleed down when the engine sits then take a while to fill with oil once the engine starts. That period of time that the engine is running and the lifters are not fully filled caused the damage.
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
Certificates: A&P, Rotorcraft CPL/CFI
Posts: 92
Threads: 13
Joined: Dec 2025
Reputation:
20
thank you for keeping these "lessons learned" hanging on your wall there.
Location: West Plains Missouri
Certificates: A&P/CFI helicopter
Posts: 113
Threads: 35
Joined: Jan 2026
Reputation:
16
My web site has many more lessons learned discussed there, see the green button at the top of the page above.