[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31421-31423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14639]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-53]


Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-
Royce, plc O-200 Series Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors 
(TCM) O-200 series reciprocating engines, that currently requires 
resetting engine timing to 24 deg. Before Top Center (BTC). This action 
would return to the 28 deg. BTC engine timing for those engines 
equipped with improved cylinders that have strengthened heads. This 
action would also add license-built Rolls-Royce, plc O-200 series 
engines to the AD's applicability and drop the TCM O-200C model which 
never went into production. This proposal is prompted by the 
availability of improved cylinders. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent possible cylinder cracking with 
subsequent loss of engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 14, 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-53, 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 Teledyne Continental Motors, P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 
36601; telephone (334) 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Robinette, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Ave., Suite 2-160, College Park, GA 
30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-7371, fax (404) 305-7348.

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-53.'' 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-53, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On June 9, 1977, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued 
airworthiness directive (AD) 77-13-03, Amendment 39-2925 (42 FR 31770, 
June 23, 1977), applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) O-200A, 
O-200B, and O-200C series reciprocating engines, to require resetting 
engine timing to 24 deg. Before Top Center (BTC). That action was 
prompted by reports of cylinder cracking. Reduction of engine timing 
reduced cylinder head stress and lowered cylinder head temperature for 
[[Page 31422]] any given cooling air flow, thereby substantially 
reducing the likelihood of cylinder head problems. Reducing engine 
timing results in a power loss of approximately 1.5% at full power 
during an engine calibration test. That condition, if not corrected, 
could result in possible cylinder cracking with subsequent loss of 
engine power.
    Since the issuance of that AD, TCM has redesigned the cylinder head 
for additional strength. Cylinder, Part Number (P/N) 641917, and 
subsequent (higher) numbers (the P/N is stamped on the cylinder barrel 
flange) have the strengthened head. Accordingly, any O-200A or B engine 
with P/N 641917 cylinders or any combination of 641917 and subsequent 
(higher) part number cylinders installed can return the timing to 
28 deg. BTC. Airworthiness directive 77-13-03 applies to the TCM O-200C 
engine as well as the O-200A and B engines; since there was never a 
production TCM O-200C engine built, that engine model has been dropped 
from this proposed AD. The current AD also does not apply to the Rolls-
Royce, plc O-200 series engines that were built under a licensing 
agreement with TCM. Teledyne Continental Motors now has the continuing 
airworthiness responsibility for these engines and they have been 
included in this proposed AD.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of TCM 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB94-8, dated September 14, 1994, that lists 
the magneto to engine timing for each TCM engine and specifically 
addresses the O-200A and B engines in Note 5.
    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 supersede AD 77-13-03 to retain the 24 deg. BTC 
engine timing for engines with cylinders that have P/N lower than 
641917; allow the return to 28 deg. BTC engine timing for those engines 
with cylinder P/N 641917 and subsequent (higher) part numbers, restamp 
the engine data plate to indicate engine timing of 28 deg. BTC; adds 
the Rolls-Royce, plc O-200A, O-200B, and O-200C series engines to the 
AD's applicability; and drops the TCM O-200C series engines from the 
AD's applicability.
    The FAA estimates that 23,500 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. This AD 
adds no additional requirements; the resetting of engine timing for 
engines with the improved cylinders is option. Therefore, there would 
be no cost imposed by the proposed actions. However, if the timing was 
reset on all applicable engines, based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$2,820,000.
    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 removing amendment 39-2925 (42 FR 
31770, June 23, 1977) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-Royce, plc.: Docket No. 94-
ANE-53. Supersedes AD 77-13-03, Amendment 39-2925.

    Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) Model O-200A 
and O-200B and Rolls-Royce, plc. Model O-200A, O-200B, and O-200C 
reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not 
limited to American Champion Models 7ECA and 402; Cessna Model 150, 
150A through 150M, A150K through A150M; Reims Models F-150G through 
F-150M, FA-150K and FA-150L; and Taylorcraft Model F19 aircraft.

    Note: This AD applies to each engine identified in the preceding 
applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, 
altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this 
AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so 
that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (g) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible cylinder cracking with subsequent loss of 
engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) For engines that have one or more cylinders with part 
numbers (P/N) lower than 641917, within the next 50 hours time in 
service (TIS) after the effective date of this airworthiness 
directive (AD), reset the engine timing to 24 deg. (+1 deg., 
-0 deg.) Before Top Center (BTC) on both magnetos in accordance with 
the magneto to engine timing procedure for direct drive engines in 
TCM Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB94-8, dated September 14, 1994.
    (b) For engines that have all four cylinders with P/N 641917 or 
higher, the engine timing may be reset to 28 deg. 
(1 deg., -0 deg.) BTC on both magnetos in accordance 
with the magneto engine timing procedure for direct drive engines in 
TCM SB No. SB94-8, dated September 14, 1994.
    (c) Subsequent installation of cylinders must be of the P/N 
listed in paragraph (b) of this AD to retain the 28 deg. BTC timing.

    Note: The P/N is stamped on the cylinder barrel flange.

    (d) This AD supersedes AD 77-13-03.
    (e) When paragraph (a) is accomplished, restamp the engine data 
plate to indicate magneto timing of 24 deg. BTC.
    (f) When paragraph (b) is accomplished, restamp the engine data 
plate to indicate magneto timing of 28 deg. BTC.
    (g) 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 [[Page 31423]] compliance with this 
airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta 
Aircraft Certification Office.

    (h) 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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 7, 1995.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14639 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P