[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19605]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 11, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 154

                                          Thursday, August 11, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 90-ANE-22]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors GTSIO-520 
Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain 
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) GTSIO-520 series engines. That action 
would have required replacement of the crankshaft counterweights, 
including attaching hardware and the engine viscous damper. Since the 
issuance of the NPRM, TCM has issued a revision to the applicable 
Overhaul Manual, which specifies replacement of counterweights at 
overhaul. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to add a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) GTSIO-520 series 
engines, was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 1991 (56 
FR 662). The proposed rule would have required the replacement of the 
crankshaft counterweights, including attaching hardware and the engine 
viscous damper in accordance with TCM Service Bulletin (SB) M90-12, 
dated August 21, 1990. That action was prompted by reports of engine 
failure due to distress of the crankshaft counterweight bushing and 
engine viscous damper. The proposed actions were intended to prevent an 
engine failure due to crankshaft failure.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received only 3 
inflight service difficulty reports since 1989, indicative that 
distress of the crankshaft counterweight bushing and engine viscous 
damper is not a wide-spread problem that requires an AD. Also, TCM has 
issued a revision to the applicable overhaul manual, which specifies 
replacement of the crankshaft counterweights, including attaching 
hardware and the engine viscous damper at each overhaul, which was the 
interval specified in the proposed rule. The FAA has determined, based 
on TCM issuing the revision to the overhaul manual, and reviewing the 
service history, that the safety concerns are adequately addressed, and 
accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of this notice of proposed rulemaking constitutes only 
such action, and does not preclude the agency from issuing another 
notice in the future, nor does it commit the agency to any course of 
action in the future. Since this action only withdraws a notice of 
proposed rulemaking, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and 
therefore, is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 
11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. 90-ANE-
22, published in the Federal Register on January 8, 1991, (56 FR 662), 
is withdrawn.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 3, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19605 Filed 8-10-94; 8:45 am]
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