[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56622-56625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22273]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0051; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Continental Motors, Inc. Reciprocating
Engines With Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) Cylinder Assemblies
Installed
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 56623]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) that applies to certain Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) IO-520,
TSIO-520, and IO-550 series reciprocating engines, with certain
replacement parts manufacturer approval (PMA) SAP investment cast
cylinder assemblies installed. The existing AD currently requires
initial and repetitive inspections and compression tests to detect
cracks in those cylinders. Since we issued that AD, we became aware of
additional engines that need to be added to the applicability. We are
proposing this AD to prevent the separation of the cylinder head,
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Continental
Motors, Inc., 2039 Broad St., Mobile, AL 36615; phone: 251-438-3411;
Web site: http://www.continentalmotors.aero/Support_Materials/Publications/Service_Bulletins/. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter W. Hakala, Aerospace Engineer,
Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76193; phone: 817-222-5145; fax: 817-222-5785;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0051;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-37-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On July 23, 2009, we issued AD 2009-16-03, Amendment 39-15986 (74
FR 38896, August 5, 2009), for certain Teledyne Continental Motors
reciprocating engines with certain replacement PMA part numbers (P/Ns)
of SAP cylinder assemblies installed. That AD requires initial and
repetitive inspections and compression tests to detect cracks in those
cylinders, with more than 750 flight hours time-in-service. That AD
resulted from reports of cracks in the area of the exhaust valve and
separation of cylinder heads from the barrels of SAP cylinder
assemblies with certain P/Ns. We issued that AD to prevent the
separation of the cylinder head, damage to the engine, and damage to
the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2009-16-03 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009), we
became aware of supplemental type certificates (STCs) that modify CMI
470 series engines to accept CMI 520 or 550 cylinders. Those modified
CMI 470 series engines could also have the affected P/Ns SAP cylinders
installed. Therefore, those additional engines may suffer from the same
unsafe condition that AD 2009-16-03 addresses.
We also changed the format for applicability from listing the
affected models of CMI reciprocating engines in a table, to stating in
a paragraph the affected reciprocating engine models. We made this
change due to a comment that the AD was in error in listing the TSIO-
520 engines, and that the applicability table did not list this model.
The TSIO-520 model engines are, in fact, affected by the AD.
Also, since we issued AD 2009-16-03 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009),
we became aware that determining the applicability of a cylinder might
be difficult. We have added a paragraph to the proposed AD to clarify
the identification of SAP cylinder assemblies. The paragraph expands
what is in the existing AD by also looking for casting markings ``CP''
on the cylinder head. Operators can rely on the casting markings in
determining if a cylinder assembly is affected, when the P/N on the
bottom flange of the cylinder assembly is not visible.
We also changed the cost of compliance because the estimated
population of engines with the SAP investment cast cylinders was
revised from 8,000 to 6,000. Superior reported that the total
production of the investment cast cylinders was only 34,487 cylinder
assemblies.
Relevant Service Information
Continental Motors Aircraft Engine Service Information Letter
SIL98-9B, Revision B, dated April 8, 2013, provides relevant service
information for this AD. That service information also includes
information concerning time-between-overhaul.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would expand the list of applicable engines in AD
2009-16-03 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009), to include the CMI 470 series
reciprocating engines modified by STC to accept CMI 520 or 550
cylinders, with certain replacement PMA SAP investment cast cylinder
assemblies installed. This proposed AD would also clarify the
identification of SAP cylinder assemblies.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 6,000 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about 5 hours to replace a cylinder, and 15 hours per engine to
inspect the
[[Page 56624]]
cylinders. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts would
cost about $1,200 per cylinder. We anticipate that 4,000 cylinders
would require replacement. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $14,150,000.
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2009-16-03, Amendment 39-15986 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009), and
adding the following new AD:
Continental Motors, Inc. (formerly Teledyne Continental Motors,
Continental): Docket No. FAA-2007-0051; Directorate Identifier 2007-
NE-37-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 12,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2009-16-03, Amendment 39-15986 (74 FR
38896, August 5, 2009).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to:
(1) Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) IO-520, TSIO-520, and IO-550
series reciprocating engines with replacement parts manufacturer
approval (PMA) Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) investment cast
cylinder assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P,
SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000-
A20P, installed.
(2) All other engine models approved for the use of CMI 520 and
550 cylinder assemblies such as the CMI 470 series engines when
modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), with SAP investment
cast cylinder assemblies, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-
A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000-A20P,
installed.
(3) This AD applies to all serial numbers for the P/Ns listed in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(4) If no SAP replacement cylinders were installed during engine
maintenance since the CMI engines were new, then this AD does not
apply.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the need to add to the applicability all
other engine models approved for the use of CMI 520 and 550 cylinder
assemblies such as the CMI 470 series engines when modified by STC,
with affected SAP investment cast cylinder assemblies installed. We
are issuing this AD to prevent the separation of the cylinder head,
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(f) Identification of SAP Cylinder Assemblies
Seeing the SAP cylinder assembly P/Ns referenced in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD may be difficult because the assembly
P/Ns are stamped on the bottom cylinder flange. Therefore, you may
review the engine maintenance records instead of the steps listed in
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, to see if the engine
records identify the P/Ns of the cylinders installed. If the records
do not identify the P/Ns of the cylinders installed, do the
following:
(1) Remove the valve cover from the cylinder assembly.
(2) Look at the top of the cylinder head for the casting
markings ``AMCAST'' or ``CP''. If a cylinder head has either of
these markings, do the steps required by paragraphs (g) through (j)
of this AD.
(g) Initial Inspection of SAP Cylinder Assemblies
For engines and cylinders listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2)
of this AD, with cylinders over 750 flight hours (FH) time-in-
service (TIS) on the effective date of this AD, do the following
initial inspection within 25 FH TIS.
(1) Inspect each cylinder head around the exhaust valve side for
visual cracks or any signs of black combustion leakage.
(2) Replace any cracked or leaking cylinders before further
flight.
(3) Perform a standard cylinder compression test. Guidance on
standard cylinder compression tests can be found in Teledyne
Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin SB03-3, Differential
Pressure Test and Borescope Inspection Procedures for Cylinders,
dated March 28, 2003.
(i) If the cylinder pressure gauge reads below 60 pounds per-
square inch, determine if the unacceptable pressure is due to a
cracked cylinder.
(ii) To check the cylinder, apply a 2 percent soapy water
solution to the side of the leaking cylinder.
(iii) If you see air bubbles, indicating air leakage, on the
side of the cylinder head, or near the head-to-cylinder interface,
replace the cylinder assembly before further flight.
(h) Repetitive Inspections of SAP Cylinder Assemblies
Thereafter, repeat the cylinder visual inspections and
compression tests specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3)(iii)
of this AD, within every 50 FH time-since-last inspection until the
cylinder reaches the TIS as listed in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(i) Replacing SAP Cylinder Assemblies
For installed cylinders, replace the affected SAP cylinders at
the earliest of the following:
(1) When the cylinder reaches the operating hours TIS between
overhaul limits, specified in Continental Motors Aircraft Engine
Service Information Letter SIL98-9B, Revision B, dated April 8,
2013; or
(2) When the cylinder reaches 12 calendar years-since-
installation.
(j) Prohibition Against Installing Certain P/Ns of SAP Cylinder
Assemblies
After the effective date of this AD, do not install or reinstall
after any removal, any SAP
[[Page 56625]]
investment cast cylinder assembly, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P,
SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000-
A20P, in any engine.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance
The Manager, Special Certification Office, may approve AMOCs to
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(l) Special Flight Permits
Under 14 CFR Part 39.23, we will not approve special flight
permits for this AD for engines that have failed the visual
inspection or the 50 hour periodic cylinder assembly compression
test required by this AD.
(m) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Peter W. Hakala,
Aerospace Engineer, Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft
Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76193; phone: 817-
222-5145; fax: 817-222-5785; email: [email protected].
(2) For Teledyne Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin
SB03-3, dated March 28, 2003, and Continental Motors Aircraft Engine
Service Information Letter SIL98-9B, Revision B, dated April 8,
2013, contact Continental Motors, Inc., 2039 Broad St., Mobile, AL
36615; phone: 251-438-3411; Web site: http://www.continentalmotors.aero/Support_Materials/Publications/Service_Bulletins.
(3) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 3, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22273 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P