[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]
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