[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23080]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-54-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Engine Oil 
Filter Adapters, Part Numbers 0450404-1, 0450404-3, 0556004-1, 0556010-
1, 1250403-6, 1250922-1, and 1250922-2, Installed on Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) engine oil 
filter adapters, part numbers 0450404-1, 0450404-3, 0556004-1, 0556010-
1, 1250403-6, 1250922-1, and 1250922-2, installed on aircraft. The 
proposed action would require applying torque paint between the engine 
filter adapter assembly, nut, and oil pump housing; inspecting the oil 
filter and adapter assembly for oil leakage and proper installation of 
the adapter retaining nut and fretting of associated threads 
(security), and replacing any oil filter and adapter assembly with oil 
leakage or security problems; and repetitively inspecting the torque 
paint for cracks or misalignment, and reinspecting the oil filter and 
adapter assembly if torque paint cracks or misalignment is found. 
Reports of loose or separated engine oil filter adapters on several 
airplanes prompted the proposed action. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of engine oil caused by loose 
or separated oil filter adapters, which could result in engine stoppage 
while in flight and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-CE-54-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from the Cessna Aircraft Company, Customer Services, P.O. Box 1521, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201. This information also may be examined at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul O. Pendleton, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4143; 
facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal 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 No. 93-CE-54-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-CE-54-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA has received 10 reports of loose or separated engine oil 
filter adapters on in-service airplanes. The affected adapters are 
Cessna engine oil filter adapters, part numbers 0450404-1, 0450404-3, 
0556004-1, 0556010-1, 1250403-6, 1250922-1, and 1250922-2. Three of the 
incidents resulted in an airplane accident, one serious. These engine 
oil filter adapters are installed on, but not limited to the following:
    (1) The following Cessna model and series airplanes with an 
affected adapter installed at manufacture: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Model or series                         Serial Nos.                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150.................  17001 through 17999, 59001 through 59018, and     
                       15059019 through 15079405.                       
A150................  A1500001 through A1500734.                        
F150................  F150-0001 through F150-0529 and F15000530 through 
                       F15001428.                                       
FA150...............  FA1500001 through FA1500120.                      
FRA150..............  FRA1500121 through FRA1500336.                    
172.................  28000 through 47746 and 17247747 through 17256512.
F172................  F172-0001 through F172-0654 and F17200655 through 
                       F17200804.                                       
FR172...............  FR172-0001 through FR17200559 and FR17200561.     
180.................  30000 through 50911 and 18050912 through 18053203.
182.................  33000 through 53007 and 18253008 through 18268293.
A182................  A182-0057 through A182-0148.                      
F182................  F18200001 through F182000169.                     
185.................  185-0001 through 185-1599 and 18501600 through    
                       18504410.                                        
188.................  188-0001 through 188-0572, 18800573 through       
                       18803945, 18800967T through 18803968T, and       
                       T18803307T through T18803968T.                   
205.................  205-0001 through 205-577.                         
206.................  206-0001 through 206-0275.                        
P206/TP206..........  P206-0001 through P206-0603 and P20600604 through 
                       P20600647.                                       
U206/TU206..........  U206-0276 through U206-1444 and U20601445 through 
                       U20606459.                                       
207/T207............  20700001 through 20700734.                        
210.................  57001 through 57575 and 21057576 through 21064780.
P210................  P21000001 through P21000811.                      
T210................  T210-0001 through T210-0454.                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Airplanes that have an affected full flow engine oil adapter 
installed by field approval, including, but not limited to the 
following model or series airplanes: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Manufacturer                         Series/Models                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twin Commander......  Models 200D, 500A, 500C, 500D, and 685.           
Beech...............  33, 35, 36, 55, 58, and 95 Series.                
Piper...............  PA46 Series.                                      
Navion..............  Rangemaster.                                      
Ryan Navion.........  Model L-17.                                       
Wren................  Model 460.                                        
Bellanca............  Models 260 and 300.                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Airplanes equipped with one of the following Teledyne 
Continental Motors model or model series engines: 

O-470                    IO-470                   TSIO-470              
O-520                    IO-520                   TSIO-520              
GTSIO-520                IO-550                   TSIO-550              
                                                                        

    Cessna has issued Service Bulletin (SB) SEB93-1, dated January 29, 
1993, which specifies procedures for inspecting the engine oil filter 
and adapter assembly. Oil filter and assembly installation procedures 
and torque values are included in the applicable Cessna maintenance 
manual.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above including the 
referenced service instructions, the FAA has determined that AD action 
should be taken to prevent loss of engine oil caused by loose or 
separated oil filter adapters, which could result in engine stoppage 
while in flight and loss of control of the airplane.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other airplanes utilizing a Cessna engine oil 
filter adapter, part number 0450404-1, 0450404-3, 0556004-1, 0556010-1, 
1250403-6, 1250922-1, or 1250922-2, of the same type design, the 
proposed AD would require (1) applying torque paint between the engine 
filter adapter assembly, nut, and oil pump housing; (2) inspecting the 
oil filter and adapter assembly for oil leakage and proper installation 
of the adapter retaining nut and fretting of associated threads 
(security), and replacing any oil filter and adapter assembly with oil 
leakage or security problems; and (3) repetitively inspecting the 
torque paint for cracks or misalignment, and reinspecting the oil 
filter and adapter assembly if torque paint cracks or misalignment is 
found.
    The FAA estimates that 70,000 airplanes in the U.S. registry 
incorporate this engine oil filter and assembly and would be affected 
by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed initial inspection and torque paint 
application, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 an 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,850,000. This cost is based on 
the assumption that no operator has accomplished the initial 
inspection, and does not take into account the cost for repetitive 
inspections. The FAA has no way of determining how many repetitive 
inspections each individual operator would incur.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 
will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a 
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES''.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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 a new AD to read as follows:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. 93-CE-54-AD.

    Applicability: Engine Oil Filter Adapters, part numbers 0450404-
1, 0450404-3, 0556004-1, 0556010-1, 1250403-6, 1250922-1, and 
1250922-2, installed on, but not limited to the following:
    (1) The following Cessna model and series airplanes with an 
affected adapter installed at manufacture: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Model or series                         Serial Nos.                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150.................  17001 through 17999, 59001 through 59018, and     
                       15059019 through 15079405.                       
A150................  A1500001 through A1500734.                        
F150................  F150-0001 through F150-0529 and F15000530 through 
                       F15001428.                                       
FA150...............  FA1500001 through FA1500120.                      
FRA150..............  FRA1500121 through FRA1500336.                    
172.................  28000 through 47746 and 17247747 through 17256512.
F172................  F172-0001 through F172-0654 and F17200655 through 
                       F17200804.                                       
FR172...............  FR172-0001 through FR17200559 and FR17200561.     
180.................  30000 through 50911 and 18050912 through 18053203.
182.................  33000 through 53007 and 18253008 through 18268293.
A182................  A182-0057 through A182-0148.                      
F182................  F18200001 through F182000169.                     
185.................  185-0001 through 185-1599 and 18501600 through    
                       18504410.                                        
188.................  188-0001 through 188-0572, 18800573 through       
                       18803945, 18800967T through 18803968T, and       
                       T18803307T through T18803968T.                   
205.................  205-0001 through 205-577.                         
206.................  206-0001 through 206-0275.                        
P206/TP206..........  P206-0001 through P206-0603 and P20600604 through 
                       P20600647.                                       
U206/TU206..........  U206-0276 through U206-1444 and U20601445 through 
                       U20606459.                                       
207/T207............  20700001 through 20700734.                        
210.................  57001 through 57575 and 21057576 through 21064780.
P210................  P21000001 through P21000811.                      
T210................  T210-0001 through T210-0454.                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Airplanes that have an affected full flow engine oil adapter 
installed by field approval, including, but not limited to the 
following model or series airplanes: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Manufacturer                         Series/Models                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twin Commander......  Models 200D, 500A, 500C, 500D, and 685.           
Beech...............  33, 35, 36, and 55 Series.                        
Piper...............  PA46 Series.                                      
Navion..............  Rangemaster.                                      
Ryan Navion.........  Model L-17.                                       
Wren................  Model 460.                                        
Bellanca............  Models 260 and 300.                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Airplanes equipped with one of the following Teledyne 
Continental Motors model or model series engines: 

O-470                    IO-470                   TSIO-470              
O-520                    IO-520                   TSIO-520              
GTSIO-520                IO-550                   TSIO-550              
                                                                        

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent loss of engine oil caused by loose or separated oil 
filter adapters, which could result in engine stoppage while in 
flight and loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service or upon removal of 
the engine oil filter, whichever occurs first, disassemble the 
engine oil filter assembly in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual, and accomplish the following:
    (1) Inspect the oil filter and adapter assembly for oil leakage 
and proper installation of the adapter retaining nut and fretting of 
the associated threads (security) in accordance with Cessna Service 
Bulletin SEB93-1, dated January 29, 1993.
    (2) Prior to further flight, replace any oil filter and adapter 
assembly with oil leakage or security problems.
    (3) Apply torque paint between the engine filter adapter 
assembly, nut, and oil pump housing.
    (4) Reassemble the engine oil filter assembly.
    (5) The disassembly, replacement (if necessary), and assembly 
required by the paragraphs above shall be accomplished in accordance 
with the applicable Cessna maintenance manual.

    Note 1: If the airplane has one of the applicable engine oil 
filter assemblies installed by field approval, it is the 
responsibility of the airplane owner/operator to obtain the 
applicable Cessna maintenance manual information, which includes 
torque values.

    (b) Within 100 hours TIS after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
100 hours TIS or upon removal of the engine oil filter, whichever 
occurs first, accomplish the following:
    (1) Inspect the torque paint for cracks or misalignment.
    (2) If any torque paint cracks or misalignment is found, prior 
to further flight, accomplish the requirements specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
    (c) Replacing the engine oil filter assembly does not eliminate 
the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD.
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate 
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to 
the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to the Cessna Aircraft 
Company, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; or may examine this 
document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 12, 1994.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Office.
[FR Doc. 94-23080 Filed 9-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P