Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc. Pistons Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 Series Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29641-29642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14870]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-30; Amendment 39-9646; AD 96-12-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc. Pistons 
Installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 Series Reciprocating 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Superior Air Parts, Inc. Parts Manufacturer 
Approval (PMA) pistons installed on Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 
series reciprocating engines, that requires removal from service of 
certain pistons. This amendment is prompted by piston failures. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent piston failure, 
which can result in engine power loss, engine failure and loss of the 
aircraft.

DATES: Effective August 12, 1996.

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: 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. Parts 
Manufacturer Approval (PMA) pistons installed on Teledyne Continental 
Motors O-470 series reciprocating engines was published in the Federal 
Register on February 22, 1995 (60 FR 9800). That action proposed to 
require removal from service of Superior Air Parts, Inc. pistons, Part 
Number (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 casting number (SA632932) along one of the piston pin bosses on 
the underside of the piston.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The manufacturer has informed the FAA that 5,585 pistons were 
shipped between December 1976 and June 1981 and will be affected by 
this AD. The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 2 work hours 
per piston to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$156 per piston. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,541,460.
    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

[[Page 29642]]

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, 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:

96-12-04 Superior Air Parts, Inc.: Amendment 39-9646. Docket 94-ANE-
30.

    Applicability: Superior Air Parts, Inc. Parts Manufacturer 
Approval (PMA) pistons, Part Numbers (P/N's) SA626992 and 
SA626992P15, installed on Teledyne Continental Motors Model O-470-K, 
-L, -R reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not 
limited to Cessna 182 series aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each piston 
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 pistons that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the 
authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any piston from the 
applicability of this AD.
    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 AD, whichever occurs 
first, remove pistons, P/N SA626992, from service 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 casting 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 
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.

    (c) 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 requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 12, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1996.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-14870 Filed 6-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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