[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66502-66506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33142]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-ANE-08; Amendment 39-10260; AD 97-26-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors IO-360, 
TSIO-360, LTSIO-360, IO-520, LIO-520, TSIO-520, LTSIO-520 Series, and 
Rolls-Royce plc IO-360 and TSIO-360 Series Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520 
and TSIO-520 series reciprocating engines, that currently requires 
ultrasonic inspection for subsurface fatigue cracks in crankshafts 
installed in TCM IO-520 and TSIO-520 series engines and replacement of 
the crankshaft if a crack is found. This amendment adds a requirement 
to remove crankshafts manufactured using the airmelt process and 
replace them with crankshafts manufactured using the vacuum arc remelt 
(VAR) process, incorporates new ultrasonic inspection criteria in the 
AD, adds engine series TCM IO-360, TSIO-360, LTSIO-360, IO-520, LIO-
520, TSIO-520, LTSIO-520 and Rolls-Royce, plc IO-360 and TSIO-360 to 
the applicability, and revises the economic impact analysis. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of crankshaft failures due to 
subsurface fatigue cracking on engines that had been inspected in 
accordance with the current AD. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent crankshaft failure and subsequent engine failure.

DATES: Effective January 23, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Teledyne Continental Motors, P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 
36601; telephone (334) 438-3411. This information may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Robinette, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Ave., Suite 2-160, College Park, GA 
30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-7371, fax (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-360, 
TSIO-360, LTSIO-360, IO-520 and TSIO-520 series reciprocating engines 
was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
in the Federal Register on August 24, 1995 (60 FR 43995). That proposal 
would have superseded AD 87-23-08, Amendment 39-5735 (52 FR 41937, 
October 30, 1987), which currently requires ultrasonic inspection of 
TCM IO-520 and TSIO-520 series engines for sub-surface fatigue cracks 
in the crankshaft and replacement of the crankshaft, if a crack is 
found. The proposed AD would have retained the ultrasonic inspection, 
but would have required the removal of crankshafts manufactured using 
the airmelt process and required replacement with crankshafts that were 
manufactured using the vacuum arc remelt (VAR) process. The proposed AD 
would have also expanded the affected population of engines to add the 
TCM IO-360, TSIO-360 and LTSIO-360 series engines to the IO-520 and 
TSIO-520 series engines affected by AD 87-23-08. That proposal was 
prompted by reports of crankshaft failures due to subsurface fatigue 
cracking on engines that had been inspected in accordance with AD 87-
23-08. That condition, if

[[Page 66503]]

not corrected, could result in crankshaft failure and subsequent engine 
failure.
    Since the issuance of that SNPRM, TCM has revised and improved the 
ultrasonic test procedure and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
determined that the proposed AD should reference this new procedure. In 
addition, the FAA has also determined that TCM LIO-520 and LTSIO-520 
and Rolls-Royce, plc IO-360 and TSIO-360 series engines are affected 
and should be included in this proposal as they are identical in design 
and manufacturing process. The number of Rolls-Royce, plc engines that 
were added was small, estimated to be 500 worldwide. The added TCM 
engines were affected only by the repetitive ultrasonic inspection 
requirements, as they already have VAR crankshafts.
    Since those changes expanded the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA determined that it was necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment. On March 
12, 1997, the FAA issued a second SNPRM ( 62 FR 15133, March 31, 1997).
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
all comments received from these three notices: 41 to the original 
NPRM, 26 to the SNPRM, and 4 to the second SNPRM.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since the listed price of the replacement part is not believed to be 
accurate nor will it be available for a sustained period of time. The 
FAA concurs in part. Since the original issuance of the NPRM, the cost 
of the exchange crankshaft has increased from $2,222 to $2,599 and the 
cost analysis has been corrected to reflect this new price. This price 
assumes the customer exchanges an airmelt crankshaft for a VAR 
crankshaft. However, some commenters have stated that the price of the 
crankshaft is $7,000 or higher, but this is based on the outright 
purchase price without an exchange crankshaft (actual TCM List Outright 
prices currently range from $7,407 to $8,979). The cost analysis is 
based on the exchange price because the applicability of this action is 
limited to registered owners of the specified TCM engine models, and it 
is assumed these owners have crankshafts installed in their engines.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since the data used for the NPRM is invalid and the handling of the 
data is not statistically correct. The FAA does not concur. The data 
used to justify the AD is valid; as stated previously, it is derived 
from crankshaft failures where the failure mode was determined by 
engineering evaluation of numerous failure events, which included 
reviews of engine operating histories, analytical engine teardowns, and 
laboratory analyses of the failed crankshafts. The FAA participated in 
many of these investigative activities.
    One commenter (ARSA) presented data from repair stations which they 
insist is the only valid data. Their data is derived from ultrasonic 
inspection of airmelt and VAR crankshafts and shows 29 airmelt removals 
out of 3,821 crankshafts inspected and 3 VAR removals out of 488 
crankshafts inspected. They then conclude that statistically there is 
no difference in the two types of crankshafts. Their statistical 
comparison of the number they found to the number they inspected is 
invalid. The comparison must be made to the total population.
    A better comparison is to combine their inspection data with the 
FAA/TCM failure data. This is still not completely accurate but it 
includes all the data currently available. When this is done, there are 
77 airmelt ``events'' out of an initial population of 23,000 and 7 VAR 
``events'' out of an initial population of 35,800; this comparison 
showed an airmelt to VAR ``event'' rate of 17 to 1. An ``event'' is 
either crankshaft removal per ARSA data or crankshaft failure per FAA/
TCM data. When the one set of ARSA data is combined with the latest 
FAA/TCM data (the latest data includes failures for 1993 through 1996), 
there are 89 airmelt ``events''. There were no VAR subsurface fatigue 
failures for 1993 through 1996. The population of the engines has 
changed since this process was initiated and continues to change, 
literally each day, which makes failure rate comparisons extremely 
difficult, if not impossible, to accurately calculate; the airmelt 
population is now estimated at 10,100. The FAA has determined that the 
failure rate is high enough to warrant an AD.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since they operate 10-12 of these engines with no failures to date. The 
commenters' justification is that in complying with the AD there is no 
increase in aviation safety but expenses and operating costs will 
increase. The FAA does not concur. These five comments were all 
identical but with different signatures. No technical justification was 
given for not publishing the AD. The FAA is aware of the costs this AD 
will impose on operators, but has determined that an unsafe condition 
exists which must be addressed by performing the actions required by 
this AD. These actions are necessary to return the affected engines to 
the level of safety established at the time the engine design was type 
certified by the FAA.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since unreported propeller strikes have contaminated the data and 
cannot be eliminated; therefore, the data is invalid. The FAA does not 
concur. The history of the engines for each data point was evaluated to 
eliminate any data from propeller strikes and improper operation; 
however, there is the remote possibility that some of the failures were 
due to a propeller strike or improper operation. There is no way to be 
100% sure that all failures due to propeller strikes and improper 
operation were eliminated from the data. The data, however, is reliable 
enough that the FAA feels that the AD is warranted.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since the FAA did not use the service difficulty reports (SDR) database 
to validate the findings of the AD; therefore, the data is not valid. 
The FAA does not concur. As stated in the SNPRM, the SDR database does 
not identify cracks as being subsurface fatigue cracks or originating 
from some other source, nor does it easily identify airmelt versus VAR. 
This information may not have been available at the time the ``M'' or 
``D'' report was submitted. The FAA requires the submission of ``M'' or 
``D'' reports in certain cases and certainly encourages submittal of 
all pertinent findings. The SDR database may be used to determine if a 
particular part/engine is experiencing a problem; however, it may not 
be possible to determine the exact nature of the problem. Using data 
sources other than the SDR database does not invalidate the FAA's 
determination that an AD is warranted.
    One commenter states that the AD should be made applicable to 
engines installed on single-engine aircraft only, since with twin-
engine aircraft the second engine is available. The FAA does not 
concur. Although the second engine is available, the accident/incident 
data shows that a high percentage of engine out incidents involving 
twin-engine aircraft result in off airport landings/crashes. For this 
reason, engines installed on twins should remain in the AD.
    One commenter states that TCM should identify VAR crankshafts on 
the propeller flange instead of on the cheek, as this would allow the 
identification of VAR crankshafts without separating the case halves. 
The FAA does not concur.

[[Page 66504]]

If the crankshaft has had an ultrasonic inspection in accordance with 
TCM Service Bulletin M87-5, Revision 1, or AD 87-23-08, the heat code, 
the letter ``V'' (only if it is a VAR crankshaft) and the letter ``U'' 
will be vibroetched on the propeller flange. If the ``V'' is missing 
then it is an airmelt crankshaft. In addition, this AD requires 
compliance at overhaul or whenever the crankshaft is removed from the 
engine so that the internal marking will be visible. Of course, any new 
crankshaft purchased from TCM will be VAR, and even if TCM started to 
mark them now there is still over a decade of production which have no 
marking on the exterior.
    One commenter states that the IO-360 series engines should be 
removed from the AD's applicability, as verbal contact with their 
members (800 total, 225 using the IO-360 engine) indicate no problems. 
The commenter believes that the failures are associated with ground 
strikes and improper operation of engines with under 1,200 hours total 
time. The FAA does not concur. The issue of propeller strikes and 
improper operation has been previously addressed. The FAA data shows 
that 5 of the 8 IO/TSIO-360 airmelt crankshaft failures occurred on IO-
360 engines (the data from ARSA does not differentiate between 360 and 
520 series engines). Of the five IO-360 failures, two had more than 
1,200 hours total time.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since the time in service of the engines are not accurately represented 
in FAA data because TCM rebuilt engines are included in data. Engines 
with serial numbers (S/Ns) lower than 300000 are reserved by TCM for 
rebuilt engines. The FAA does not concur. The FAA agrees that many of 
the engines listed are rebuilt by TCM, where the time in service of the 
crankshaft cannot be accurately determined, but the crankshaft would be 
considered high time. However, there are other engines listed which are 
``first run'' with low time in service failures. The data supports the 
FAA's position that the failures are random and time in service is not 
the determining factor.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since there will be a loss of revenue to the repair stations, 
overhaulers, etc. Some commenters state that TCM is replacing the 
crankshafts in rebuilt engines at no charge to the customer, thereby 
reducing the potential for overhauls. The commenters state that they 
have lost numerous overhauls because their customers have elected to 
buy a TCM rebuilt engine instead of paying for an overhaul. The 
commenters consider this an unfair business practice and feel that the 
FAA is furthering this scheme by issuing an AD.
    The FAA disagrees. The commenters ignore the FAA's determination 
that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on engines of 
this type design. The FAA recognizes that competition affects the 
profitability of entities engaged in the aviation industry, but denies 
any scheme to aid one competitor over another. That the original 
manufacturer of these engines has elected to compete in the overhaul 
market does not affect the FAA's determination that an unsafe condition 
exists or the need for this AD to address that safety issue.
    One commenter states that the cost is shown as an annual amount but 
should have been shown as a total amount. The commenter believes this 
economic analysis is unprecedented and irregular and undermines the 
confidence of the aviation general public in the rulemaking process. 
The FAA does not concur. The FAA normally shows costs on an annual 
basis when compliance with an AD will be extended over a long time 
frame. The total costs are generally shown, but in this case, as stated 
in the SNPRM, ``The FAA estimates that approximately 10% of the 
affected engines will be overhauled each year''; thus it should be 
clear that it will take approximately 10 years before all the affected 
engines are in compliance. The total cost is easily derived by 
multiplying the annual cost estimate by 10. This issue was avoided in 
the second SNPRM by showing both annual and total costs.
    Two commenters state that the cost estimate is too low, as a big 
cost in procuring a new crankshaft is not stated; i.e., the shipping/
freight cost, which should be included in the cost estimate for this 
AD. The FAA concurs. Since the FAA's cost estimate of a replacement 
crankshaft is based on an ``exchange'' part, the FAA concurs that the 
costs of shipping are appropriately included as direct cost of the 
replacement part. Shipping costs will vary widely however, and the FAA 
has no reasonable means to estimate those costs. Therefore, the FAA 
will use the commenters' estimate of $100 for shipping costs and adjust 
the cost analysis accordingly.
    One commenter states that the AD should be withdrawn, since the 
economic impact does not include the cost to remove the engine and 
propeller from the airplane and to reinstall them. The FAA does not 
concur. The AD is to be accomplished at overhaul or whenever the 
crankcase is separated. Since the engine and propeller, in either case, 
must be removed anyway, there will be no additional expense to remove/
reinstall the engine and propeller in order to comply with the AD.
    One commenter states that the FAA should acquire more data about 
the currently required ultrasonic inspection before issuing the AD. The 
commenter questions whether any of the engines that failed that were 
listed in the TCM data had undergone the required ultrasonic 
inspection. The FAA does not concur. Of the failures listed in the FAA/
TCM data, 22 airmelt and 1 VAR had been inspected one or more times in 
accordance with AD 87-23-08 and/or TCM SB M87-5, or M87-5, Revision 1. 
All of the crankshafts in the data provided by ARSA (29 airmelt and 3 
VAR) were removed from service because they failed the ultrasonic 
inspection.
    One group of commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, 
since the data on which the FAA's determination that an unsafe 
condition exists was not available to the commenter for review. The FAA 
does not concur. The commenters have filed a number of comments with 
the AD docket file that indicate a careful review of available data 
from a number of sources, including the docket file. The FAA denies 
that the information available in the docket file is inadequate to 
warrant AD action. While some information cannot be included in the 
public docket file due to the proprietary nature of the information, 
the FAA has placed in the docket a summary of the data on which it 
bases its determination that an unsafe condition exists, that the 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the 
same type design, and that this AD is necessary to address this safety 
concern.
    One commenter states that in Note 2 of the proposed AD, reference 
was made to the term magnaflux; the commenter correctly points out that 
magnaflux is a registered trademark and should not be used in this 
context. The generic terminology magnetic particle inspection should be 
used instead. The FAA concurs and has revised this final rule 
accordingly.
    Two commenters state that the AD should be withdrawn, since the FAA 
has failed to address comments made to the previous NPRM and SNPRM. The 
FAA does not concur. The purpose of the SNPRM is to continue the fact 
gathering process. For clarity, certain comments were partially 
addressed in the SNPRMs; however, all comments have been addressed in 
the processing of this final rule.

[[Page 66505]]

    One commenter states that the AD should be withdrawn, since the FAA 
has not substantiated the inclusion of the Rolls-Royce, plc engines 
which are not US type certificated. The FAA does not concur. The FAA 
stated in the second SNPRM that the Rolls-Royce, plc engines are 
identical in design and manufacturing process, which substantiates 
their inclusion. It is true that there is no US type certificate for 
these engines; however, these engines are accepted for use on US type 
certificated airplanes, and several are installed on US registered 
aircraft. Therefore, TCM service information and FAA ADs apply to these 
engines.
    One commenter states that the AD should be withdrawn, since a 
number of alternatives to AD action already exist and they have been 
shown to be as effective as an AD. The alternatives include the current 
TCM service information, special TCM pricing, strong sales of TCM 
rebuilt engines and attrition of older airmelt crankshafts. The FAA 
does not concur. There was TCM service information prior to the initial 
issuance of the original NPRM and that did not affect the failure rate. 
The special TCM pricing has helped but is not enough to warrant no AD 
action. Strong sales of TCM rebuilt engines and attrition of older 
crankshafts certainly help the situation, but, again, are not 
sufficient to warrant no AD action. The data reflects the need for the 
AD and does not show that the alternatives presented are as effective 
as an AD.
    One commenter states that the AD should be withdrawn since the 
SNPRM mandates a standard maintenance practice which is in conflict 
with FAA internal guidance on the issuance of ADs. The FAA does not 
concur. The problem here is not a maintenance procedure, but a 
manufacturing process, and it affects all the affected engines 
regardless of who is performing the maintenance, or the quality of 
maintenance. The FAA has determined that an unsafe condition exists or 
can develop on these crankshafts. It is therefore incumbent on the FAA 
to issue an AD.
    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 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will not increase 
the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 10,100 engines are installed on aircraft of 
U. S. registry and will need to have the crankshaft replaced, that it 
will take approximately 1 work hour per engine to determine the type of 
crankshaft installed and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,599 and shipping will 
cost approximately $100. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
replacing crankshafts on U. S. operators is estimated to be $27,865,900 
over a 10-year period or $2,786,590 annually.
    The FAA further estimates that 59,300 engines with VAR crankshafts 
installed would require ultrasonic inspections and the estimated cost 
of performing an ultrasonic inspection is $200. The FAA estimates that 
approximately 10%, or 5,930 engines, would need to be overhauled 
annually, so the estimated total cost impact for ultrasonic inspections 
is $1,186,000 annually.
    Therefore, the FAA estimates the total cost impact of the AD to be 
$27,865,900 over a 10-year period, plus an additional $1,186,000 
annually for the repetitive ultrasonic inspections.
    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 removing Amendment 39-5735 (52 FR 
41937, October 30, 1987) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-10260, to read as follows:

97-26-17  Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-Royce, plc: 
Amendment 39-10260. Docket 93-ANE-08. Supersedes AD 87-23-08, 
Amendment 39-5735.

    Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-360, LTSIO-
360, TSIO-360, IO-520, LIO-520, LTSIO-520 and TSIO-520 series 
reciprocating engines built on or prior to December 31, 1980; 
rebuilt TCM IO-360, LTSIO-360, TSIO-360, IO-520, LIO-520, LTSIO-520 
and TSIO-520 series reciprocating engines with serial numbers lower 
than those listed in TCM Critical Service Bulletin (SB) No. CSB96-8, 
dated June 25, 1996; TCM factory overhauled IO-360, LTSIO-360, TSIO-
360, IO-520, LIO-520, LTSIO-520 and TSIO-520 series reciprocating 
engines with serial number of 901203H and lower; and Rolls-Royce, 
plc IO-360 and TSIO-360 series reciprocating engines with any serial 
number. These engines are installed on but not limited to the 
following aircraft: Raytheon (formerly Beech) models 95-C55, 95-
C55A, D55, D55A, E55, E55A, 58, 58A, 58P, 58PA, 58TC, 58TCA, S35, 
V35, V35A, V35B, E33A, E33C, 35-C33A, 36, A36, F33A, F33C and A36TC; 
Bellanca model 17-30A; Cessna models 172XP, A185, A188, T188C, 206, 
T206, 207, T207, 210, T210, P210, 310R, T310P, T310Q, T310R, 320D, 
320E, 320F, 336, 337, T337, P337, 340, 401, 402, 414 and T41B/C; 
Colemill conversion of Commander 500A; Goodyear Airship Blimp 22; 
Maule Model M-4-210, M-4-210C, M-4-210S, M-4-210T, and M-5-210C; 
Mooney model M20-K; Navion model H; Pierre Robin HR 100; The New 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (formerly Piper Aircraft Company) models PA28-
201T, PA28R-201T, PA28RT-201T, PA34-200T and PA34-220T; Prinair 
Dehavilland Heron; Reims models FR172, F337 and FT337; and Swift 
Museum Foundation, Inc. models GC-1A and GC-1B equipped with the IO-
360 engine.

    Note 1: 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 assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe

[[Page 66506]]

condition has not been eliminated, the request should include 
specific proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent crankshaft failure and subsequent engine failure, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) At the next engine overhaul, or whenever the crankshaft is 
next removed from the engine, after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, determine if the crankshaft was manufactured 
using the airmelt or vacuum arc remelt (VAR) process in accordance 
with the identification procedure described in TCM Critical SB No. 
CSB96-8, dated June 25, 1996. If the crankshaft was manufactured 
using the airmelt process or if the manufacturing process is 
unknown, remove the crankshaft from service and replace with a 
serviceable crankshaft manufactured using the VAR process.
    (b) For all TCM IO-360, LTSIO-360, TSIO-360, IO-520, IO-520, 
LTSIO-520 and TSIO-520 and Rolls-Royce, plc IO-360 and TSIO-360 
engine models that have VAR crankshafts installed, regardless of 
serial number; at the next and every subsequent crankshaft removal 
from the engine case or installation of a replacement crankshaft, 
prior to crankshaft installation in the engine, conduct an 
ultrasonic inspection of the crankshaft in accordance with the 
procedures specified in TCM Mandatory SB No. MSB96-10, dated August 
15, 1996, and, if necessary, replace with a serviceable part.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the ultrasonic inspection required by 
this AD does not fulfill any requirements for magnetic particle 
inspection or any other inspections specified in TCM or Rolls-Royce, 
plc overhaul manuals.

    (c) The ultrasonic inspection of the crankshaft must be 
performed by a non-destructive test (NDT) ultrasonic (UT) Level II 
inspector who is qualified under the guidelines established by the 
American Society of Nondestructive Testing or MIL-STD-410 or FAA-
approved equivalent, or must be trained by TCM personnel or their 
designated representative on how to accomplish and conduct this 
inspection procedure. The person approving the engine for return to 
service is required to verify that the UT inspection was 
accomplished in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
    (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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate 
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to 
the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft 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 Atlanta Aircraft 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 requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following TCM service documents:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Document No.               Pages             Date          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSB96-8..............................      1-6  June 25, 1996.          
  Total pages: 6.                                                       
MSB96-10.............................      1-3  August 15, 1996.        
  Total pages: 3.                                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 may be obtained from Teledyne Continental Motors, 
P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; telephone (334) 438-3411. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief 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 January 23, 1998.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 12, 1997.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33142 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P