[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76632-76635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27955]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-ANE-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors (Formerly 
Bendix) S-20, S-1200, D-2000, and D-3000 Series Magnetos

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Teledyne Continental

[[Page 76633]]

Motors (TCM) (formerly Bendix) S-20, S-1200, D-2000, and D-3000 series 
magnetos equipped with impulse couplings. That AD currently requires 
replacing riveted-impulse coupling assemblies, which are worn beyond 
limits, with serviceable riveted-impulse couplings or snap-ring impulse 
couplings. This proposed AD would require a reduced inspection interval 
for magnetos with riveted-impulse couplings installed on certain 
Lycoming engine models. The proposed AD would not lower the inspection 
interval for magnetos with snap-ring impulse couplings. This proposed 
AD would also limit the Applicability to certain Lycoming engine 
models. This proposed AD results from data provided by the manufacturer 
that shows a need to reduce the inspection intervals for riveted-
impulse couplings used on certain Lycoming engine models. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the magneto impulse coupling 
and possible engine failure.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 22, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 93-ANE-07-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected]
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Teledyne Continental Motors, P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; 
telephone (334) 438-3411.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Robinette, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Propulsion, Atlanta Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 1 Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, 
GA, 30349; telephone (770) 703-6096, fax (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to provide any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments on this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 93-ANE-07-AD'' in the subject 
line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your 
mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the 
docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail 
it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and 
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received 
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 
comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On May 29, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-12-07, Amendment 39-9649 (61 
FR 29934, June 13, 1996). That AD requires:
     An initial inspection of riveted and snap-ring impulse 
couplings before accumulating 500 hours time-since-new or overhauled 
(TSN) or time-since-last inspection (TSLI) on impulse couplings that 
have fewer than 450 hours TSN or TSLI on the effective date of that AD.
     An initial inspection of riveted and snap-ring impulse 
couplings before accumulating 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of that AD on impulse couplings that have 450 or more 
hours TSN or TSLI on the effective date of that AD.
     Repetitive inspections within 500 hours TSLI.
     Replacing impulse couplings that fail the inspection.
    That AD was the result of redesigning the impulse coupling assembly 
to include snap-ring fastening technology, which strengthens the cam 
axle and reduces wear and reports of impulse couplings with the snap-
ring design that were worn beyond limits. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the magneto impulse coupling and 
possible engine failure.

Actions Since AD 96-12-07 Was Issued

    Since we issued that AD, the manufacturer has added procedures and 
requirements for inspecting impulse couplings that have snap rings to 
the applicable Service Support Documents.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of TCM 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) MSB645, dated April 4, 1994, that 
describes procedures for:
     Inspecting the impulse coupling assemblies for wear and, 
if necessary, replacing the riveted assembly with a snap-ring impulse 
coupling, and
     Marking the magneto data plate with a letter ``A'' after 
installing a snap-ring impulse coupling.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require:
     An initial visual inspection of riveted-impulse couplings 
that have 100 or more hours TSN or TSLI on the effective date of the 
proposed AD, within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
or
     An initial visual inspection of riveted-impulse couplings 
that have fewer than 100 hours TSN or TSLI on the effective date of the 
proposed AD, before accumulating 100 hours TSN or TSLI, and
     Repetitive inspections of riveted-impulse couplings within 
intervals of 100 hours TSLI.
     An initial visual inspection of snap-ring impulse 
couplings that have 450 or more hours TSN or TSLI on the effective date 
of the proposed AD, within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of the 
AD, or
     An initial visual inspection of snap-ring impulse 
couplings that have fewer than 450 hours TSN or TSLI before 
accumulating 500 hours TSN or TSLI, and
     Repetitive inspections of snap-ring impulse couplings 
within intervals of 500 hours TSLI.
     Replacing impulse couplings that fail the inspection.
    The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the 
service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 4,200 magnetos 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 1 work hour per magneto to perform the proposed actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. The reduced 
inspection interval would require doing the inspections

[[Page 76634]]

about four times more often. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $1,092,000.

Authority for this Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 93-ANE-07-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-9649 (61 FR 
29934, June 13, 1996) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:
Teledyne Continental Motors: Docket No. 93-ANE-07-AD. Supersedes AD 
96-12-07, Amendment 39-9649.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 22, 
2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 96-12-07, Amendment 39-9649.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) 
(formerly Bendix) magnetos that have a magneto part number (P/N) 
listed in Table 1 of TCM Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 
MSB645, dated April 4, 1994, installed on Lycoming AEIO-540, HIO-
540, IO-540, 0-540, and TIO-540 series engines. These engines are 
installed on, but not limited to, airplanes manufactured by the 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Maule Aerospace Technology Corporation, 
Mooney Aircraft Corporation, The New Piper Aircraft Inc., and 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech Aircraft Company).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from data provided by the manufacturer that 
indicates a need to reduce the inspection intervals for riveted-
impulse couplings used on certain Lycoming engine models. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the magneto impulse coupling 
and possible engine failure.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Initial Inspections of Impulse Couplings

    (f) For all magnetos that have a P/N listed in Table 1 of TCM 
MSB No. MSB645, dated April 4, 1994, that have never been inspected, 
perform an initial inspection of the impulse coupling for wear using 
paragraphs 1.2 through 1.4.5 of the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB 
No. MSB645, dated April 4, 1994. Use the following Table 1 for the 
compliance times. Snap-ring impulse couplings will have an ``A'' 
stamped in the lower-right quarter of the magneto data plate.

                                  Table 1.--Initial Inspection Compliance Times
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                                                                Time on coupling on the
             Engine model                  Type of impulse       effective date of this          Inspect
                                          coupling assembly                AD
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Lycoming AEIO-540, HIO-540, IO-540, 0- (1) Riveted............  (i) 100 or more hours    Within 10 hours time-in-
 540, and TIO-540 series engines..                               time-since-new or        service (TIS) after
                                                                 overhaul (TSN) or if     the effective date of
                                                                 the TSN is unknown.      this AD.
                                                                (ii) Fewer than 100      Before accumulating 100
                                                                 hours TSN.               hours TSN.
                                       (2) Snap ring..........  (i) 450 or more hours    Within 50 hours TIS
                                                                 TSN.                     after the effective
                                                                                          date of this AD.
                                                                (ii) Fewer than 450      Before accumulating 500
                                                                 hours TSN.               hours.
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    (g) Replace any impulse coupling that fails the inspection with 
a serviceable riveted or snap-ring impulse coupling. Paragraphs 2 
through 2.6 of the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB No. MSB645, 
dated April 4, 1994 contain information on replacing the impulse 
coupling.
    (h) If you replace a snap-ring impulse coupling with a riveted-
impulse coupling, strike out the ``A'' on the magneto data plate.

Repetitive Inspections of Impulse Couplings

    (i) For all magnetos that have a P/N listed in Table 1 of TCM 
MSB No. MSB645, dated April 4, 1994, that have had an initial 
inspection as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, perform a 
repetitive inspection of the impulse coupling for wear using 
paragraphs 1.2 through 1.4.5 of the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB 
No. MSB645, dated April 4, 1994. Use the following Table 2 for the 
compliance times. Snap-ring impulse couplings will have an ``A'' 
stamped in the lower-right quarter of the magneto data plate.

[[Page 76635]]



                                Table 2.--Repetitive Inspection Compliance Times
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              Engine model                   Type of impulse coupling assembly                Inspect
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lycoming AEIO-540, HIO-540, 1o-540, 0-    (1) Riveted...........................  Within 100 hours time-since-
 540, and TIO-540 series engines.                                                  last inspection (TSLI).
                                          (2) Snap ring.........................  Within 500 hours TSLI.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (j) Replace any impulse coupling that fails the inspection with 
a serviceable riveted or snap-ring impulse coupling. Paragraphs 2 
through 2.6 of the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB No. MSB645, 
dated April 4, 1994 contain information on replacing the impulse 
coupling.
    (k) If you replace a snap-ring impulse coupling with a riveted-
impulse coupling, strike out the ``A'' on the magneto data plate.

Optional Terminating Action

    (1) Installing a ``Shower-of-Sparks'' ignition system in place 
of a magneto system that has a riveted-impulse coupling or a snap-
ring impulse coupling ends the repetitive inspection requirements 
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. You can find more information 
on installing a ``Shower-of-Sparks'' ignition system in TCM Service 
Information Letter No. SIL648, dated October 18, 1994.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (m) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (n) TCM SB No. 639, dated March 1993, contains additional 
information for replacing impulse couplings on a TCM magneto. TCM 
Service Information Letter No. SIL648, dated October 18, 1994, 
contains information for converting an engine to a ``Shower-of-
Sparks'' ignition system.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 15, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27955 Filed 12-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P