[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]


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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.

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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:

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             Document No.                 Pages             Revision                         Date               
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96-001................................          4  Original.................  August 5, 1996.                   
    Total Pages: 4                                                                                              
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    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]
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