[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48425-48427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24089]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-ANE-37-AD; Amendment 39-10745 AD 98-19-02
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc., Piston Pins
Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Superior Air Parts, Inc., piston pins installed on
Teledyne Continental Motors reciprocating engines. This amendment
requires removal from service of defective piston pins, and replacement
with serviceable parts. This amendment is prompted by reports of
numerous piston pin fractures. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent a piston pin failure from causing secondary engine
damage resulting in loss of oil or total power failure, and from
causing jamming of the engine crankshaft resulting in a catastrophic
engine failure.
DATES: Effective November 9, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office
of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA;
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Madej, Aerospace Engineer,
Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Ft.
[[Page 48426]]
Worth, TX 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-4635, fax (817) 222-5785.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Superior Air Parts, Inc., piston
pins installed in 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, -B, -C, -CB, -D, -DB, -E, -F, -FB, -GB, -H, -HB, -JB,
-KB, -LB, -MB series reciprocating engines was published in the Federal
Register on February 17, 1998 (63 FR 7739). That action proposed to
require removal from service of defective piston pins and replacement
with serviceable parts.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter states that the cost to U.S. operators of the
proposed AD will be far greater than documented by the FAA. The FAA
does not concur. Only 2,322 of the suspect piston pins were shipped.
The NPRM assumed a worst case scenario based on each suspect piston pin
being installed in a different engine. If, as the commenter had
assumed, the suspect piston pins were installed in groups of six, the
total cost would be far less than estimated in the NPRM ($585,516
compared to the NPRM's estimate of $1,300,320). In addition, to date at
least 1,000 of the suspect piston pins have now been removed from
service. As a result, the cost impact is lower than originally
estimated in the NPRM and has been revised in this final rule.
One commenter states that the NPRM implies that suspect piston pins
could have been installed in accordance with the Superior Parts
mandatory service bulletin. The commenter also disagrees with the
proposed definition of a serviceable piston pin, stating that any
approved piston pin should qualify as serviceable. Finally, the
commenter points out that an incorrect part number was used twice under
the compliance section of the NPRM. The FAA concurs in part but
disagrees with the commenters suggestion regarding the definition of a
serviceable piston pin. The AD has been clarified to state that a
determination that a suspect piston pins could have been installed
should be made referring to the mandatory service bulletin. This should
eliminate any implication that the suspect piston pins were installed
in accordance with the mandatory service bulletin. Also, the incorrect
piston pin part numbers have been corrected. The AD continues to define
as serviceable, however, only those piston pins that can be verified
not to be a PMA Superior Air Parts piston pin shipped from Superior
between August 1, 1994 and June 20, 1996. Of course, before installing
a piston pin that meets that definition, an operator must also insure
that the particular piston pin is approved for installation on that
particular engine. The FAA disagrees with the commenter's suggestion to
define as serviceable any approved piston pin. That definition may not
eliminate from service the very suspect piston pins that the AD
requires operators to remove.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
above. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that there are at most approximately 1,322
engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry that will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per engine to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60
per work hour. Required parts are estimated to cost $200 per engine.
Based on these figures (which assume one pin per engine), the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $740,320.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-19-02 Teledyne Continental Motors With Superior Air Parts, Inc.
PMA Piston Pins, Part Number (P/N) SA629690: Amendment 39-10745
Docket 97-ANE-37.
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 in 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, -B, -C, -CB, -D, -DB, -E, -F, -FB, -GB, -H, -
HB, -JB, -KB, -LB, -MB series reciprocating engines 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 checks 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
[[Page 48427]]
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 a piston pin failure from causing secondary engine
damage that results in loss of oil or total power failure, and from
causing jamming of the engine crankshaft resulting in a 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,
referring to Superior Air Parts, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin
(SB) No. 96-001, dated August 5, 1996, determine if a suspect
Superior Air Parts, Inc. PMA piston pin, P/N SA629690, could have
been installed. 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 Superior Air Parts, Inc.
PMA piston pins, P/N SA629690, could have been installed, remove
from service defective piston pins and replace with serviceable
piston pins.
(2) If it is determined that suspect Superior Air Parts, Inc.
PMA piston pins, P/N SA629690, 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 approved for the application that has been verified not
to be a Superior Air Parts, Inc. PMA piston pin, P/N SA629690,
shipped from Superior Air Parts, Inc., from August 1, 1994, through
June 20, 1996. Installation of a Superior Air Parts Inc. PMA 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.
(f) The actions required by this AD shall be done referring to
the following Superior Air Parts, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96-001................................ 4 Original................. August 5, 1996.
Total Pages: 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies of Superior Air Parts, Inc. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 96-001 may be obtained from Superior Air Parts, Inc.,
14280 Gillis Road, Dallas, TX. 75244; telephone (800) 400-5949, fax
(800) 238-8471. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on November 9, 1998.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on August 31, 1998.
Donald E. Plouffe,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24089 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U