[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10366]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-12; Amendment 39-8895; AD 94-06-09]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors (Formerly 
Bendix) Magnetos

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 94-06-09 that was sent previously 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of Teledyne Continental Motors 
(TCM) (formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos by 
individual letters. This AD requires inspection to determine if 
capacitors that may have an intermittent open circuit condition are 
installed in magnetos, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable 
capacitors. This amendment is prompted by reports that TCM produced and 
delivered magneto capacitors that have the potential for an 
intermittent open circuit condition that may exist between the internal 
through-lead and the p-lead stud terminal. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent possible injury or death to ground 
personnel due to a non-grounded magneto.

DATES: Effective May 20, 1994, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 94-06-09, 
issued on March 9, 1994, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 20, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 5, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-12, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The applicable service information may be obtained from Teledyne 
Continental Motors, P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; telephone (205) 438-
3411. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Robinette, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
1669 Phoenix Parkway, suite 210C, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone (404) 
991-3810, fax (404) 991-3606.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 9, 1994, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive 
(AD) 94-06-09, applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) 
(formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos, which 
requires inspection to determine if capacitors that may have an 
intermittent open circuit condition are installed in magnetos, and 
replacement, if necessary, with serviceable capacitors. That action was 
prompted by reports that TCM produced and delivered magneto capacitors, 
Part Number (P/N) 10-349276, which have the potential for an 
intermittent open circuit condition that may exist between the internal 
through-lead and the p-lead stud terminal. The potential open circuit 
condition was initially discovered during a production engine test run 
at TCM. Further investigation revealed this problem to be limited to 
two lot numbers, 93-40 and 93-42, approximately 500 capacitors total. 
To date 241 of the capacitors have been found and taken out of service. 
These parts were used in magnetos produced at TCM for company use, 
Textron Lycoming use, after market sales, and for individual capacitors 
sold as spares to the field after October 27, 1993. These individual 
replacement parts can be fitted into TCM or Bendix magnetos.
    A capacitor with the intermittent open circuit condition described 
can result in a ``hot mag'' (i.e. the magneto is not grounded when the 
ignition/magneto switch is placed in the off position). The magneto is 
therefore capable of producing ignition, and if the propeller is moved 
with some residual fuel left in the cylinders, the engine could start 
momentarily. This momentary engine start could turn the propeller with 
enough force to cause injury or death to ground personnel struck by the 
turning propeller. Capacitors with an intermittent open circuit 
condition may show no revolutions per minute (RPM) drop-off during the 
magneto check prior to flight. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in possible injury or death to ground personnel due to a non-
grounded magneto.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of TCM 
Critical Service Bulletin (CSB) 641, dated February 1, 1994, that 
describes procedures for determining if magnetos contain capacitors, P/
N 10-349276, that may have an intermittent open circuit condition.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design, the FAA issued priority 
letter AD 94-06-09 to prevent possible injury or death to ground 
personnel due to a non-grounded magneto. The AD requires inspection 
within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD to 
determine if affected capacitors are installed in magnetos, and 
replacement, if necessary, with serviceable capacitors. All affected 
magnetos must be metal stamped with the letter ``E'' to show 
compliance. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the service bulletin described previously.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on March 9, 1994, to all known U.S. owners and operators of TCM 
(formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos installed 
on but not limited to reciprocating engine powered Beech, Cessna, 
Maule, Mooney, Piper, and Robinson aircraft. These conditions still 
exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an 
amendment to Sec. 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(FAR) to make it effective to all persons.
Comments Invited 
    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed. 
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket. 
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-ANE-12.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise 
would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a 
final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules 
Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket 
at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


 Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-06-09  Teledyne Continental Motors: Amendment 39-8895. Docket 94-
ANE-12.

    Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) (formerly 
Bendix) magnetos new and rebuilt TCM Model SC-20, Part Number (P/N) 
10-500XXX-X series; Model SC-200, P/N 10-600XXX-X series; and Model 
S-1200, P/N 10-349XXX-X series, magnetos with Serial Numbers (S/N) 
J2793XXX(R) through J3193XXX(R), K0193XXX(R) through K3093XXX(R) and 
L0193XXX(R) through L2293XXX(R) inclusive, with capacitor, P/N 10-
349276, with date code 93-40 or 93-42. In addition, all TCM Model 
SC-20, P/N 10-500XXX-X series; SC-200, P/N 10-600XXX-X series; and 
S-1200, P/N 10-349XXX-X series, magnetos that have capacitor, P/N 
10-349276, identified with date code 93-40 or 93-42, installed after 
October 27, 1993. Also, any TCM or Bendix magneto regardless of 
serial number that was fitted after October 27, 1993, with 
capacitors P/N 10-349276, sold as individual replacement parts with 
date code 93-40 or 93-42. These magnetos are installed on but not 
limited to reciprocating engine powered Beech, Cessna, Maule, 
Mooney, Piper, and Robinson aircraft.

    Note: The ``X'' represents numbers in the P/N and S/N that have 
no significance in determining applicability: Only the first five 
digits are needed. The ``(R)'' at the end of the S/N indicates a 
rebuilt magneto. The absence of an ``(R)'' indicates a new magneto.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible injury or death to ground personnel due to a 
non-grounded magneto, accomplish the following:

    Note: Warning: Do not move propellers by hand on engines that 
may contain affected capacitors until the inspection procedures 
required by this airworthiness directive (AD) are completed. Ground 
personnel should avoid the propeller arc.

    (a) Within the next 10 hours time in service after the effective 
date of this AD, inspect affected magnetos for the presence of 
capacitor P/N 10-349276, in accordance with the Detailed 
Instructions, paragraphs 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of TCM Critical Service 
Bulletin (CSB) 641, dated February 1, 1994, and, if necessary, 
replace with a serviceable part as follows:
    (1) If the capacitor is marked with a date code other than 93-40 
or 93-42, reinstall the capacitor in the magneto and metal stamp the 
letter ``E'' in accordance with the Identification paragraph of TCM 
CSB641, dated February 1, 1994, to show compliance with this AD. No 
further action is required.
    (2) If the capacitor is marked with either date code 93-40 or 
93-42, replace with a serviceable capacitor of the same P/N but with 
a date code other than 93-40 or 93-42, and metal stamp the letter 
``E'' in accordance with the Identification paragraph of TCM CSB641, 
dated February 1, 1994, to show compliance with this AD.
    (b) Prior to installation, inspect uninstalled capacitor, P/N 
10-349276, and replace, if necessary, with a serviceable part, in 
accordance with the Detailed Instruction, paragraph 2.1 of TCM 
CSB641, dated February 1, 1994.

    Note: TCM Critical Service Bulletin CSB94-1 dated February 1, 
1994, and Lycoming Service Bulletin 517 dated February 25, 1994, 
refers to this subject.

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with the 
following service bulletin: 

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                    Document No.                          Pages             Revision                Date        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCM CSB641..........................................             1-2  Original............  Feb. 1, 1994.       
Total pages: 2.                                                                                                 
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Teledyne Continental Motors, P.O. 
Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; telephone (205) 438-3411. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective May 20, 1994, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by priority letter AD 94-06-09, issued March 9, 1994, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10366 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P