[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9800-9802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4250]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-ANE-30]
Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc. Pistons
Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 Series 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 certain Superior Air Parts, Inc.
pistons installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 series
reciprocating engines. This proposal would require removal from service
of certain pistons. This proposal is prompted by reports of piston
failures. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
[[Page 9801]] prevent piston failure, which can result in engine power
loss, engine failure and loss of the aircraft.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 24, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-30, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. 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
75244-3792; telephone (800) 487-4884. 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: Richard Karanian, Aerospace Engineer,
Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-5195, fax (817)
222-5959.
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 94-ANE-30.'' 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. 94-ANE-30, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of
failures of Superior Air Parts, Inc. pistons, Part Number (P/N)
SA626992, installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 series
engines. Investigation revealed that an undetermined number of these
pistons had sharp edged casting lines in the area of the piston pin
boss that could cause a stress riser. In 1981, Superior Air Parts, Inc.
introduced an improved design piston, P/N SA640518, recommended to
replace piston, P/N SA626992, at major overhaul. However, the older
model pistons, which are subjected to high stresses due to heat, firing
pressures, and uneven forces applied to the piston skirt as the
clearance between the piston and cylinder barrel increases during
service, are being reused over more than one overhaul cycle. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in engine power loss, engine
failure and loss of the aircraft.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
Superior Air Parts, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 93-007, dated
November 18, 1993, that describes identification procedures for
determining the piston P/N, and recommends replacement of all affected
pistons at major overhaul.
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 removal from service of Superior Air Parts,
Inc. pistons, P/N SA626992, at the next access to the piston, top
overhaul, or major overhaul. The affected pistons can be identified by
either a stamped-in P/N on the piston dome (SA626992 or SA626992P15)
or, by a raised number (SA632932) along one of the piston pin bosses on
the underside of the piston. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
The manufacturer has informed the FAA that 5,585 pistons were
shipped between December 1976 and June 1981 and would be affected by
this proposed AD. The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 2
work hours per piston to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $156 per piston. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,541,460.
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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Superior Air Parts, Inc.: Docket No. 94-ANE-30.
Applicability: Superior Air Parts, Inc. pistons, Part Numbers
(P/N) SA626992, SA626992P15, and SA632932, installed on
[[Page 9802]] Teledyne Continental Motors Model O-470-K, -L, -R
reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not
limited to Cessna 182 series aircraft.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent piston failure, which can result in engine power
loss, engine failure and loss of the aircraft, accomplish the
following:
(a) At the next access to the piston, top overhaul, or major
overhaul after the effective date of this airworthiness directive,
whichever occurs first, remove from service pistons, P/N SA626992,
and replace with a serviceable part.
Note: The affected pistons can be identified by either a
stamped-in P/N on the piston dome (SA626992 or SA626992P15) or, by a
raised number (SA632932) along one of the piston pin bosses on the
underside of the piston.
(b) 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, Fort Worth Special Certification
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Fort Worth Special Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth Special Certification
Office.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4250 Filed 2-21-95; 8:45 am]
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