[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41320-41322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20309]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Precision Airmotive Corporation 
Carburetors

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 Precision Airmotive 
Corporation carburetors, that currently requires the inspection of 
those carburetors equipped with a two-piece venturi at each annual 
inspection to determine if the primary venturi is loose or missing, and 
requires the replacement of a two-piece venturi with a one-piece 
venturi within 48 months after the effective date of the existing AD. 
This action would eliminate the requirement to install a one-piece 
venturi, and allows the installation of a one-piece venturi on affected 
carburetors as an optional terminating action; or, requires repetitive 
inspections of a two-piece venturi on affected carburetors. This AD 
would also add an additional carburetor model, and requires the 
installation of a new fuel nozzle on certain carburetors when a one-
piece venturi is installed. This proposal is prompted by service 
difficulty reports describing engines that fail to attain rated power, 
run rough, or experience power loss after installation of a one-piece 
venturi in accordance with the existing AD, and by incidents of forced 
landings of aircraft powered by engines modified to comply with the 
existing AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent disruption of fuel flow to the engine resulting in failure to 
attain rated power, power loss in flight, and forced landings.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-16, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line. 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 Precision Airmotive Corporation, 3220 100th Street SW., 
Building E, Everett, WA 98204; telephone (206) 353-8181, fax (206) 348-
3545. 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 Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 227-2597, fax (425) 227-1181.

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 97-ANE-16.'' 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. 97-ANE-16, 12 New

[[Page 41321]]

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On September 8, 1993, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
issued airworthiness directive (AD) 93-18-03, Amendment 39-8688 (58 FR 
50843, September 29, 1993), to require annual inspections of Precision 
Airmotive Corporation (formerly Facet Aerospace Products Corporation 
and Marvel-Schebler Corporation) Model MA-3A, MA-3PA, MA-3SPA, and MA-
4SPA carburetors equipped with two-piece venturis to determine if the 
primary venturi is loose or missing, and to require replacement of a 
two-piece venturi with a one-piece venturi within 48 months after the 
effective date of the existing AD. That action was prompted by 
accidents, incidents, and service difficulty reports involving loose or 
missing components of two-piece venturis. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in disruption of fuel flow to the engine 
resulting in failure to attain rated power, power loss in fight, and 
forced landings.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received reports from 
numerous operators and mechanics who have installed a one-piece venturi 
in accordance with the existing AD and where those modified engines 
failed to attain rated power, ran rough, or experienced power loss. 
Several forced landings have been reported. Some operators were able to 
correct the problems by installing a different fuel nozzle. Others have 
requested and received approval to reinstall a two-piece venturi and 
return to the inspection schedule as an alternative method of 
compliance with the existing AD.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Precision Airmotive Service Bulletin (SBs) No. MSA-2, Revision 1, dated 
November 11, 1991, MSA-2, Revision 2, dated December 28, 1993, and MSA-
2, Revision 3, dated October 10, 1995, that describe the replacement of 
a two-piece venturi with a one-piece venturi for Precision Airmotive 
Corporation Model MA-3A, MA-3PA, MA-3SPA, and MA-4SPA carburetors. The 
FAA has also reviewed and approved the technical contents of Precision 
Airmotive SBs No. MSA-7, dated September 30, 1994, that describes the 
installation of a new fuel nozzle on aircraft equipped with Teledyne 
Continental Motors(TCM) O-200A engines having carburetor, Part Numbers 
10-4894, or 10-4115-1, installed; MSA-8, dated July 10, 1995, that 
describes the installation of a new fuel nozzle on aircraft equipped 
with TCM O-300 or C-145 engines having carburetor, P/Ns 10-4895, 10-
4439, or 10-3237 installed, and MSA-9, dated October 10, 1995, that 
describes the installation of a new fuel nozzle on aircraft equipped 
with TCM C-75, C-85, or C-90 engines having carburetor, P/Ns 10-4240, 
10-4252, 10-4252-1, or 10-4457, installed.
    In addition, several FAA inspectors who oversee operators who use 
``progressive'' inspection schedules have pointed out the potential for 
confusion in enforcing the requirement with the existing AD for actions 
``at each annual inspection,'' and the repetitive inspection interval 
has therefore been changed to every annual, 100-hour, or progressive 
inspection, whichever occurs first. While this inspection requirement 
is recognized to be a greater economic burden on some operators than 
the ``annual'' requirement of AD 93-18-03, the FAA has determined that 
this inspection interval in this AD is necessary to achieve an 
acceptable level of safety.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other carburetors of this same type design, this AD 
supersedes AD 93-18-03 to require repetitive inspections of a two-piece 
venturi, and to allow installation of a one-piece venturi as an 
optional terminating action for those repetitive inspections provided 
certain conditions are met. The actions are required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the SBs described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 30,000 carburetors installed on aircraft of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per carburetor to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost approximately $75 per carburetor. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $5,850,000.
    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-39-8688 (58 FR 
50843, September 29, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness 
directive, Amendment 39-XXXX, to read as follows:

Precision Airmotive Corporation: Docket No. 97-ANE-16. Supersedes AD 
93-18-03, Amendment 39-8688.

    Applicability: Precision Airmotive Corporation (formerly Facet 
Aerospace Products Corporation and Marvel-Schebler Corporation) 
Model MA-3, MA-3A, MA-3PA, MA-3SPA, MA-4SPA carburetors installed on 
but not limited to Textron Lycoming O-235, O-290, and O-320 series 
engines, and Teledyne Continental A-65, A-75, C-75, C-85, C-90, C-
115, C-125, C-145, O-200, and O-300 series engines. These engines 
are installed on, but not limited to, normally aspirated 
reciprocating engine powered aircraft manufactured by Cessna, Piper, 
Raytheon, and Mooney.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each 
carburetor 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 carburetors 
that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the 
performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/
operator must request approval for an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, 
alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

[[Page 41322]]

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent disruption of fuel flow to the engine resulting in 
failure to attain rated power, power loss in flight, and forced 
landings, accomplish the following:
    (a) For Precision Airmotive Corporation Model MA-3A, MA-3PA, MA-
3SPA, and MA4-SPA carburetors:
    (1) If not previously accomplished, prior to further flight, 
inspect the carburetor to determine if a two-piece venturi is 
installed. Carburetors that have the letter ``V'' stamped or etched 
on the lower portion of the data plate, or that have a black, 
yellow, or blue data plate showing the Precision Airmotive 
Corporation name and logo, or that have a black Facet A Aerospace 
Products data plate with a serial number beginning with 750, are 
already equipped with a one-piece venturi and no further action is 
necessary provided the engine does not subsequently run rough or 
experience power loss.
    (2) If a two-piece venturi is installed, inspect the carburetor 
at each annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection, to determine if 
the primary venturi is loose or missing. If either of these 
conditions is found, prior to further flight, repair the carburetor 
by installing a serviceable two-piece venturi or by installing a 
one-piece venturi in accordance with Precision Airmotive Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. MSA-2, Revision 1, dated November 11, 1992, 
Revision 2, dated December 28, 1993, or Revision 3, dated October 
10, 1995. Installing a one-piece venturi constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this paragraph.
    (3) If a one-piece venturi is already installed, or installed in 
accordance with sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph, and the engine 
subsequently runs rough or experiences power loss, accomplish either 
of the following:
    (i) Modify the carburetor in accordance with paragraphs (c), (d) 
or (e) of this AD, as applicable; or
    (ii) Install a carburetor containing a two-piece venturi and 
resume the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a)(2) of 
this AD.
    (b) For Precision Airmotive Corporation Model MA-3 series 
carburetors: at the next annual, 100-hour, or progressive 
inspection, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this 
AD, inspect the carburetor to determine if the primary venturi is 
loose or missing. If either of these conditions are found, prior to 
further flight, repair the carburetor by installing a serviceable 
two-piece venturi, or replace the entire carburetor with a 
serviceable carburetor. Repeat this inspection at each annual, 100-
hour, or progressive inspection.
    (c) For Precision Airmotive Corporation Model MA-3SPA series 
carburetors with Part Numbers (P/N) 10-4894 or 10-4115-1, installed 
on Teledyne Continental Model O-200A series engines modified on or 
after the effective date of this AD by installing a one-piece 
venturi, install a new fuel nozzle in accordance with Precision 
Airmotive SB MSA-7, dated September 30, 1994, at the time of 
installation of the one-piece venturi.
    (d) For Precision Airmotive Corporation Model MA-3SPA series 
carburetors with P/Ns 10-4895, 10-4439, or 10-3237, installed on 
Teledyne Continental Model O-300 or C-145 series engines modified on 
or after the effective date of this AD by installing a one-piece 
venturi, install a new fuel nozzle in accordance with Precision 
Airmotive SB No. MSA-8, dated July 10, 1995, at the time of 
installation of the one-piece venturi.
    (e) For Precision Airmotive Corporation Model MA-3SPA series 
carburetors with P/Ns 10-4240, 10-4252, 10-4252-1, or 10-4457, 
installed on Teledyne Continental Model C-75, C-85, or C-90 series 
engines modified on or after the effective date of this AD by 
installing a one-piece venturi, install a new fuel nozzle in 
accordance with Precision Airmotive SB No. MSA-9, dated October 10, 
1995, at the time of installation of the one-piece venturi.
    (f) 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, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate 
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to 
the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (g) 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 inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 23, 1997.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20309 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U