[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2701-2703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1411]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-36; Amendment 39-9471; AD 94-11-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Curtiss-Wright R1820 Series 
Reciprocating Engines

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) 94-11-10 that was sent previously 
to certain U.S. owners and operators of Curtiss-Wright R1820 series 
reciprocating engines, installed on the following U.S. registered 
aircraft: N313WB, N7044L, N815SH, and N83AW by individual letters. This 
AD requires engines certified to operate on 91 octane or higher avgas 
to undergo a teardown and analytical inspection for detonation damage, 
and engines certified to operate on 80 octane avgas to undergo 
inspection for evidence of possible internal engine damage. This 
amendment is prompted by reports that aircraft with certain Curtiss-
Wright engines installed were fueled with a contaminated fuel mixture 
between May 22 and June 2, 1994, at Sacramento Executive (SAC) airport, 
or between May 18 and June 2, 1994, at Sacramento Metro (SMF) airport. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent detonation due 
to low octane, which can result in severe engine damage and subsequent 
failure.

DATES: Effective February 13, 1996, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 94-11-
10, issued on June 23, 1994, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 29, 1996.

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-36, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Locke Easton, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Staff, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park; telephone (617) 238-7113, 
fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 23, 1994, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive 
(AD) 94-11-10, applicable to Curtiss-Wright R1820 series reciprocating 
engines, installed on the following U.S. registered aircraft: N313WB, 
N7044L, N815SH, and N83AW, which requires teardown and analytical 
inspection for engines certified to operate on 91 or higher octane 
aviation gasoline (avgas), and differential compression test and 
examination of the oil filter for engines certified to operate on 80 
octane avgas. That action was prompted by reports of reports of 
aviation gasoline (avgas) being contaminated by Jet A fuel. After 
investigation, the source of the contamination has been determined to 
be the refiner of the avgas. Through its distribution system, the 
refiner inadvertently caused Jet A fuel to be loaded into distribution 
tanks intended for avgas. Contaminated avgas from these distribution 
tanks was then shipped to local fuel distributors. The FAA has 
determined that aircraft with certain Franklin engines installed were 
fueled with this contaminated mixture between May 22 and June 2, 1994, 
at 

[[Page 2702]]
Sacramento Executive (SAC) airport, or between May 18 and June 2, 1994, 
at Sacramento Metro (SMF) airport. The list of U.S. registered aircraft 
specified in the applicability paragraph of this AD is based on 
investigation of fueling records secured from the two affected 
airports, which the FAA has determined to represent the population of 
affected engines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
detonation due to low octane, which can result in severe engine damage 
and subsequent failure.
    This AD requires engines certified to operate on 91 octane or 
higher avgas to undergo a teardown and analytical inspection for 
detonation damage, and engines certified to operate on 80 octane avgas 
to undergo inspection for evidence of possible internal engine damage. 
Engineering analysis of operating these engines with avgas contaminated 
with Jet A fuel indicates that actual damage to the engine may range 
from unnoticeable to very severe, according to the duration of run, 
engine power level, and level of contamination. Damage may be 
characterized by increased operating temperatures resulting in damaged 
intake valves and burned pistons, and excessive loads imposed by 
detonation. Since internal damage may not be assessed by any other 
method, engines certified to operate on 91 octane or higher avgas must 
undergo a teardown and analytical inspection and any parts showing 
signs of detonation damage must be replaced. Investigation revealed the 
lowest octane level of the contaminated fuel to be 83 octane, therefore 
engines certified to operate on 80 octane avgas need not undergo a 
teardown and analytical inspection unless evidence of internal engine 
damage is present by the required differential compression test and 
examination of the oil filter for metal particles. The refiner has 
advised the FAA that it may pay for any reasonable expense associated 
with the inspection and/or disassembly in accordance with the 
mechanic's and manufacturer's recommendations.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued priority 
letter AD 94-11-10 to prevent detonation due to low octane. The AD 
requires teardown and analytical inspection for engines certified to 
operate on 91 or higher octane avgas, and differential compression test 
and examination of the oil filter for engines certified to operate on 
80 octane avgas.
    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 June 23, 1994, to certain U.S. owners and operators of 
Curtiss-Wright R1820 series reciprocating engines, installed on the 
following U.S. registered aircraft: N313WB, N7044L, N815SH, and N83AW. 
These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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-36.'' 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 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

94-11-10  Curtiss-Wright: Amendment 39-9471. Docket 94-ANE-36.

    Applicability: Curtiss-Wright R1820 series reciprocating 
engines, installed on the following U.S. registered aircraft: 
N313WB, N7044L, N815SH, and N83AW.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (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 (c) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to 

[[Page 2703]]
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 detonation due to low octane, which can result in 
severe engine damage and subsequent failure, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For engines that are certified to operate on only 91 or 
higher octane aviation gasoline (avgas) within the next 2 hours time 
in service (TIS) after the effective date of this airworthiness 
directive (AD) perform an engine teardown and analytical inspection, 
and replace with serviceable parts as necessary in accordance with 
the applicable overhaul manuals.
    (b) For engines that are certified to operate on 80 octane 
avgas, within the next 2 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD conduct a differential compression test on all cylinders in 
accordance with the applicable maintenance manuals, and examine the 
oil filter by cutting the oil filter apart and spreading the filter 
paper out to look for metal particles. If metal particles are 
present, or if one or more cylinders shows unacceptable compression 
as specified in the applicable maintenance manuals, perform an 
engine teardown and analytical inspection, and replace with 
serviceable parts as necessary in accordance with the applicable 
overhaul manuals.

    Note: Additional guidance for conducting differential 
compression tests is contained in paragraph 692 of Advisory Circular 
(AC) No. 43.13-1A, dated 1988.

    (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, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Staff. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Staff.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Engine and Propeller Standards 
Staff.

    (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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective February 13, 1996, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by priority letter AD 94-11-10, issued June 23, 1994, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1411 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U