[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7739-7740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3796]



[[Page 7739]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc., Piston Pins 
Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors 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 Superior Air Parts, Inc., piston 
pins installed on Teledyne Continental Motors reciprocating engines. 
This proposal would require removal from service of defective piston 
pins, and replacement with serviceable parts. This proposal is prompted 
by reports of numerous piston pin fractures. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent the piston pin from puncturing 
the engine crankcase by the connecting rod, resulting in the loss of 
oil leading to total power failure and possible fire, or freeing the 
connecting rod, possibly puncturing the cylinder or jamming the engine 
crankshaft, resulting in catastrophic engine failure.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 20, 1998.

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-37-AD, 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 Superior Air Parts, Inc. 14280 Gillis Rd., Dallas, TX 
75244; telephone (800) 400-5949. 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: Paul Madej, Aerospace Engineer, 
Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Ft. Worth, TX 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-4635, fax (817) 
222-5785.

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-37-AD.'' 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-37-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received numerous reports 
of fractured Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) Superior Air Parts, Inc. 
piston pins, Part Number (P/N) SA629690, installed on Teledyne 
Continental Motors IO-360, TSIO-360, and LTSIO-360 series reciprocating 
engines. The investigation reveals that some of these piston pins 
shipped from Superior Air Parts, Inc. between August 1, 1994, through 
June 20, 1996, may contain subsurface manufacturing imperfections, such 
as higher impurity levels and retained austenite as well as 
imperfections caused by final machining, such as grind burns. Failure 
of the piston pin may cause puncturing of the engine crankcase by the 
connecting rod resulting in the loss of oil leading to total power 
failure and possible fire. Failure of the piston pin may free the 
connecting rod, possibly puncturing the cylinder or cause jamming of 
the engine crankshaft resulting in catastrophic engine failure.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Superior Air Parts, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 96-001, 
dated August 5, 1996, that states that piston pins, P/N SA629690, 
should be removed from service, and replaced with serviceable parts.
    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, within 25 hours time in service after the 
effective date of this AD, removal from service of defective piston 
pins, and replacement with serviceable parts. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the SB described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 2,322 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 6 work hours per engine to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost $200 per engine. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,300,320.
    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

[[Page 7740]]

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Teledyne Continental Motors With PMA Superior Air Parts, Inc. Piston 
Pins, Part Number (P/N) SA629690: Docket No. 97-ANE-37-AD.

    Applicability: Superior Air Parts, Inc., Parts Manufacturer 
Approval (PMA) piston pins, Part Number (P/N) SA629690, shipped from 
Superior Air Parts, Inc., from August 1, 1994, through June 20, 
1996, installed on Teledyne Continental Motors IO-360-A, -AB, -C, -
CB, -D, -DB, -G, -GB, -H, -HB, -J, -JB, -K, -KB; LTSIO-360-E, -EB, -
KB; TSIO-360-A, -AB, -C, -CB, -D, -DB, -E, -F, -FB, -GB, -H, -HB, -
JB, -KB, -LB, -MB series reciprocating engines, and which were 
overhauled or had cylinder head maintenance performed by a repair 
facility other than Teledyne Continental Motors after August 1, 
1994. These engines are installed on but not limited to the 
following aircraft: Cessna 172XP, 336, 337, T337, P337, and T-41B/C 
(military); Maule M-4-210, M-4-210C, M-4-210S, M-4-210T, and M-5-
210C; Swift Museum Foundation, Inc. GC-1A, GC-1B, New Piper Inc. PA-
28-201T, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201T, PA-34-200T, and PA-34-220T; 
Reims FR172, F337, and FT337; Goodyear Airship Blimp 22; Mooney M20-
K; and Pierre Robin HR100.

    Note 1: Shipping records, engine logbooks, work orders, and 
parts invoices check may allow an owner or operator to determine if 
this AD applies.
    Note 2: 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 request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition 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 the piston pin from puncturing engine crankcase by 
the connecting rod, resulting in the loss of oil leading to total 
power failure and possible fire, or freeing the connecting rod, 
possibly puncturing the cylinder or jamming the engine crankshaft, 
resulting in catastrophic engine failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) If an engine has not had a piston pin installed after August 
1, 1994, or if an engine has had a piston pin installed after August 
1, 1994, but it was installed by Teledyne Continental Motors, then 
no action is required.
    (b) For engines that had a piston pin installed after August 1, 
1994, by an entity other than Teledyne Continental Motors, within 25 
hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, 
determine if a suspect PMA Superior Air Parts, Inc. piston pin, P/N 
SA629620, could have been installed in accordance with Superior Air 
Parts, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 96-001, dated August 
5, 1996. If unable to verify that a suspect piston pin was not 
installed using a records check, disassemble the engine in 
accordance with the applicable Maintenance Manual or Overhaul 
Manual, visually inspect or verify for suspect piston pins, and 
accomplish the following:
    (1) If it is determined that suspect PMA Superior Air Parts, 
Inc. piston pins, P/N SA629620, could have been installed, remove 
from service defective piston pins and replace with serviceable 
piston pins.
    (2) If it is determined that suspect PMA Superior Air Parts, 
Inc. piston pins, P/N SA629620, could not have been installed, no 
further action is required.
    (c) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable piston pin is any 
piston pin that has been verified not to be a PMA Superior Air 
Parts, Inc. piston pin, P/N SA629690, shipped from Superior Air 
Parts, Inc., from August 1, 1994, through June 20, 1996. 
Installation of a PMA Superior Air Parts Inc. piston pin, P/N 
SA629690, that can not be verified to be outside of the suspect 
shipping period range, is prohibited after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (d) 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, Special Certification Office. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Special Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Special Certification Office.

    (e) 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 may be performed.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 6, 1998.
James C. Jones,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3796 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U