FAA Probes Uncommanded Engine Shutdowns in Widely-Used Training Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet on December 16, 2025. The purpose of this action is to investigate reports of uncommanded engine shutdowns. The affected aircraft are equipped with Lycoming IO-360 engines and AVStar-manufactured fuel servos. These shutdowns, known as ‘rollbacks’ in aviation terminology, occur when pilots reduce throttle to idle power.
These issues impact some of the most popular training and personal aircraft in general aviation. The list includes:
- Cessna 172S and 172R
- Piper Archer III
- Piper Pilot 100i
- Piper Seminole twins
The four-cylinder fuel-injected IO-360 engine, which is widely used across the general aviation fleet, is at the center of this issue.
The FAA is calling on operators and maintenance personnel to provide detailed information about any engine rollback events within 90 days. This request applies regardless of the fuel servo manufacturer. The Airworthiness Concern Sheet is a tool the FAA uses to gather information about potential safety issues. This can lead to various resolutions, including possible airworthiness directives. The agency has indicated it does not consider the matter an emergency at this stage but is actively collecting data to determine the scope and cause of the problem.
Source: AOPA