[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9800-9802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4250]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-30]


Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc. Pistons 
Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 Series Reciprocating 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Superior Air Parts, Inc. 
pistons installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 series 
reciprocating engines. This proposal would require removal from service 
of certain pistons. This proposal is prompted by reports of piston 
failures. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
[[Page 9801]] prevent piston failure, which can result in engine power 
loss, engine failure and loss of the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 24, 1995.

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-30, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Superior Air Parts, Inc., 14280 Gillis Rd., Dallas, TX 
75244-3792; telephone (800) 487-4884. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Karanian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-5195, fax (817) 
222-5959.

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 summarizing 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 Number 94-ANE-30.'' 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, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-30, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of 
failures of Superior Air Parts, Inc. pistons, Part Number (P/N) 
SA626992, installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 series 
engines. Investigation revealed that an undetermined number of these 
pistons had sharp edged casting lines in the area of the piston pin 
boss that could cause a stress riser. In 1981, Superior Air Parts, Inc. 
introduced an improved design piston, P/N SA640518, recommended to 
replace piston, P/N SA626992, at major overhaul. However, the older 
model pistons, which are subjected to high stresses due to heat, firing 
pressures, and uneven forces applied to the piston skirt as the 
clearance between the piston and cylinder barrel increases during 
service, are being reused over more than one overhaul cycle. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in engine power loss, engine 
failure and loss of the aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Superior Air Parts, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 93-007, dated 
November 18, 1993, that describes identification procedures for 
determining the piston P/N, and recommends replacement of all affected 
pistons at major overhaul.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require removal from service of Superior Air Parts, 
Inc. pistons, P/N SA626992, at the next access to the piston, top 
overhaul, or major overhaul. The affected pistons can be identified by 
either a stamped-in P/N on the piston dome (SA626992 or SA626992P15) 
or, by a raised number (SA632932) along one of the piston pin bosses on 
the underside of the piston. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
    The manufacturer has informed the FAA that 5,585 pistons were 
shipped between December 1976 and June 1981 and would be affected by 
this proposed AD. The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 2 
work hours per piston to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $156 per piston. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,541,460.
    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 proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 is contained 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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Superior Air Parts, Inc.: Docket No. 94-ANE-30.

    Applicability: Superior Air Parts, Inc. pistons, Part Numbers 
(P/N) SA626992, SA626992P15, and SA632932, installed on 
[[Page 9802]] Teledyne Continental Motors Model O-470-K, -L, -R 
reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not 
limited to Cessna 182 series aircraft.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent piston failure, which can result in engine power 
loss, engine failure and loss of the aircraft, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) At the next access to the piston, top overhaul, or major 
overhaul after the effective date of this airworthiness directive, 
whichever occurs first, remove from service pistons, P/N SA626992, 
and replace with a serviceable part.

    Note: The affected pistons can be identified by either a 
stamped-in P/N on the piston dome (SA626992 or SA626992P15) or, by a 
raised number (SA632932) along one of the piston pin bosses on the 
underside of the piston.

    (b) 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, Fort Worth Special Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Fort Worth Special Certification Office.

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

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4250 Filed 2-21-95; 8:45 am]
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