Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc., Piston Pins Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors Reciprocating Engines

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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