70654 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 228 / Monday, November 27, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NE–16–AD; Amendment

39–11994; AD 2000–23–21]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne

Continental Motors IO–360, TSIO–360,

LTSIO–360, O–470, IO–470, TSIO–470,

IO–520, TSIO–520, LTSIO–520, IO–550,

TSIO–550, and TSIOL–550 Series

Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

emergency airworthiness directive (AD)

2000–08–51. Emergency AD 2000–08–

51 was sent to all known U.S. owners

and operators of Teledyne Continental

Motors (TCM) IO–360, TSIO–360,

LTSIO–360, O–470, IO–470, TSIO–470,

IO–520, TSIO–520, LTSIO–520, IO–550,

TSIO–550, and TSIOL–550 series

reciprocating engines by individual

letters. This amendment requires

removing a core sample of material from

the propeller mounting flange of certain

crankshafts, and sending the core

sample to TCM for evaluation. This

amendment is prompted by reports of

crankshaft failures, and by the addition

of additional crankshaft serial numbers

(SN) that have been added to the

suspect population. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent fracture of the crankshaft

connecting rod journal, which could

result in total engine power loss, inflight engine failure and possible forced

landing.

DATES: Effective December 12, 2000. The

incorporation by reference of certain

publications listed in the regulations is

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register as of December 12, 2000.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

January 26, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NE–

16–AD, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299. Comments

may also be sent via the Internet using

the following address: ‘‘9-aneadcomment@faa.gov.’’ Comments sent

via the Internet must contain the docket

number in the subject line.

The service information referenced in

this AD may be obtained from Teledyne

Continental Motors, PO Box 90, Mobile,

AL 36601; telephone toll free 1–888–

200–7565, or on the TCM internet site

‘‘www.tcmlink.com.’’ This information

may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry

Robinette, Senior Engineer, Propulsion,

Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, One

Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd.,

Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349;

telephone: (770) 703–6096, fax: (770)

703–6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April

28, 2000, the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) issued emergency

airworthiness directive (AD) 2000–08–

51 that is applicable to Teledyne

Continental Motors IO–360, TSIO–360,

LTSIO–360, O–470, IO–470, TSIO–470,

IO–520, TSIO–520, LTSIO–520, IO–550,

TSIO–550, and TSIOL–550 series

reciprocating engines. That AD requires

removing a core sample of material from

the propeller mounting flange and

sending the core sample to TCM for

evaluation. That action was prompted

by reports of crankshafts on which the

connecting rod journals had fractured.

On November 24, 1999, the FAA was

notified of a crankshaft failure on a TCM

engine. Since that time, the FAA has

obtained information regarding 13

crankshaft failures. The investigation

revealed that the crankshafts failed due

to subsurface defects in the number one

crankshaft connecting rod journal. The

FAA has determined that all of the

defects were due to unique material

composition characteristics combined

with process control variations that

occurred during the material melt

process. This occurred during several

discrete periods, i.e. certain lots, of steel

production or forming operations. The

defects were not revealed during

manufacture because specification

material evaluation techniques were

inadequate to detect these anomalies.

Continued evaluation of crankshafts lots

with serial numbers (SN’s) other than

those that were listed in AD 2000–08–

51, has detected the same condition in

those crankshaft lots. TCM mandatory

service bulletin (MSB) 005B, dated May

25, 2000, and MSB 005C, dated October

10, 2000, were issued to include the

SN’s of those additional suspect

crankshafts. The specification material

evaluation techniques have been

improved to preclude a reoccurrence of

this condition. Crankshafts with this

type of subsurface defect will fail. All of

the fractures have been grouped around

certain manufacturing dates between

April 1, 1998, and March 31, 2000,

inclusive. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in crankshaft

connecting rod journal fracture, which

could result in total engine power loss,

in-flight engine failure and possible

forced landing.

Manufacturer’s Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

the technical contents of TCM

Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB)

005C, dated October 10, 2000. MSB

005C lists additional serial numbers

(SN’s) of affected engines and suspect

crankshafts that were manufactured

between April 1, 1998, and March 31,

2000, inclusive. The MSB also describes

procedures for removing a core sample

of material from the propeller mounting

flange of the crankshaft and for

cleaning, chamfering, dye checking, and

painting the core sample holes.

Requirements of This AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other engines of this same

type design, this airworthiness directive

(AD) requires removing a core sample of

material from the propeller mounting

flange and sending the core sample to

TCM for evaluation. TCM has informed

the FAA that it intends to maintain a 24

to 48 hour turn-around time for

notification of the crankshaft

airworthiness. All crankshafts that are

found to be unserviceable must be

replaced with a serviceable crankshaft

prior to further flight. The actions are

required to be accomplished in

accordance with the service bulletin

described previously.

Immediate Adoption

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for prior public comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications should identify the

Rules Docket number and be submitted

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 228 / Monday, November 27, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 70655

in triplicate to the address specified

under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

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 2000–NE–16–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

This proposed rule does not have

federalism implications, as defined in

Executive Order No. 13132, because it

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.

Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted

with state authorities prior to

publication of this proposed rule.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and is not a ‘‘significant regulatory

action’’ under Executive Order No.

12866. It has been determined further

that this action involves an emergency

regulation under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034,

February 26, 1979). If it is determined

that this emergency regulation

otherwise would be significant under

DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation

will be prepared and placed in the Rules

Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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

Code of Federal 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

2000–23–21 Teledyne Continental Motors:

Amendment 39–11994. Docket 2000–

NE–16–AD.

Applicability

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is

applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors

(TCM) IO–360, TSIO–360, LTSIO-360, O–

470, IO–470, TSIO–470, IO–520, TSIO–520,

LTSIO–520, IO–550, TSIO–550 and TSIOL–

550 series reciprocating engines that were

assembled, rebuilt, or overhauled using a

crankshaft that was manufactured between

April 1, 1998, and March 31, 2000, listed by

engine and crankshaft serial number (SN) in

TCM Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 00–

5C, dated October 10, 2000.

Note 1: The engines and crankshafts that

are the subject of this AD were manufactured

by TCM from April 1, 1998 through March

31, 2000. However the dates that the engines

and crankshafts were delivered may not

coincide with their dates of manufacture. For

crankshafts identified in paragraph (a) of this

AD, TCM has already determined which

engines have a new suspect crankshaft

installed and have identified those engines

by engine SN. The crankshaft SN is only used

to determine the need for taking a core

sample for those crankshafts identified in

paragraph (a) and (b) of this AD. The engine

SN can be found in logbooks or other

maintenance records. For those engines that

were overhauled in the field with factory

new crankshafts, the crankshaft SN should be

shown in work orders, log books or other

maintenance records. If the engine was

assembled new, rebuilt, or overhauled on or

before March 31, 1998, or on or after April

1, 2000, no action is required.

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

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

Compliance with the requirements of this

AD is required within the next 10 hours timein-service from the effective date of this AD,

unless already done.

To prevent crankshaft connecting rod

journal fracture, which could result in total

engine power loss, in-flight engine failure

and possible forced landing, do the

following:

Note 3: TCM supplies an instructional

video in the tool kit for MSB 00–5C. It is

recommended that the technician views and

understands ‘‘Instructional Video for

Compliance with Teledyne Continental

Motors Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 00–

5C’’ before performing these procedures.

Crankshaft Material Inspection

(a) For those engines and crankshafts listed

by SN in TCM MSB 00–5C, dated October 10,

2000, do the crankshaft material inspection

(crankshaft propeller flange core sample) as

follows:

Note 4: The engine SN’s listed in TCM

MSB 00–5C contain only the numerical

portion of the SN. Engines that have been

rebuilt by TCM will have a letter ‘‘R’’ at the

end of the six digit numerical portion.

Disregard the letter ‘‘R.’’

(1) Do the crankshaft material inspection

(crankshaft propeller flange core sample) in

accordance with sections A through J of TCM

MSB 00–5C, dated October 10, 2000, as

follows:

(i) Use the specialized tools and equipment

provided by TCM as listed in section A of

TCM MSB 00–5C, dated October 10, 2000.

(ii) You may use each rotobroach bit to

obtain up to six core samples. Replace the

rotobroach after the sixth core sample, or

before if the rotobroach does not cut with the

maximum torque applied.

(iii) Maintain a record of each core sample

obtained with each rotobroach bit used.

Contact TCM to obtain additional rotobroach

bits.

(iv) Do not exceed the torque limits

specified in TCM MSB 00–5C, dated October

10, 2000, when obtaining the core sample.

(2) After obtaining the results of the core

sample evaluation, disposition the crankshaft

as follows:

(i) If TCM notifies you that the crankshaft

is not serviceable, replace the crankshaft with

a serviceable crankshaft of the same part

number before further flight.

(ii) If TCM notifies you that the crankshaft

is serviceable, the propeller assembly may be

reinstalled.

Installation of Crankshafts

(b) After the effective date of this AD, do

not install a crankshaft with a SN that is

70656 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 228 / Monday, November 27, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

listed in MSB 00–5C, dated October 10, 2000,

unless core samples have been taken and

TCM has approved it for return to service.

(c) Crankshaft material inspections

(crankshaft propeller flange core samples)

that were done using TCM MSB 00–5, dated

April 14, 2000; MSB 00–5A, dated April 28,

2000; or MSB 00–5B, dated May 25, 2000,

comply with this AD and must not be

repeated.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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 (ACO). Operators

shall submit their requests through an

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

Note 5: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this airworthiness directive,

if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta

ACO.

Incorporation by Reference Material

(e) The actions required by this AD shall

be performed in accordance with Teledyne

Continental Motors MSB 00–5C, dated

October 10, 2000. 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,

PO Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; telephone toll

free 1–888–200–7565, or on the TCM internet

site ‘‘www.tcmlink.com’’. 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.

Effective Date of This AD

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

December 12, 2000.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

November 13, 2000.

David A. Downey,

Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–29496 Filed 11–24–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY

COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 1211

Safety Standard for Automatic

Residential Garage Door Operators

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety

Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety

Commission is amending regulations on

the Safety Standard for Automatic

Residential Garage Door Operators, to

reflect changes made by Underwriters

Laboratories, Inc. in its standard UL

325.

DATES: The rule will become effective

on December 27, 2000. The

incorporation by reference of certain

publications in this rule is approved by

the Director of the Federal Register as of

December 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Renae Rauchschwalbe, Office of

Compliance, Consumer Product Safety

Commission, Washington, DC 20207,

telephone 301–504–0608, ext. 1362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Commission issued part 1211 on

December 21, 1992 to minimize the risk

of entrapment by residential garage door

openers. As mandated by section 203 of

Public Law 101–608, subpart A of part

1211 codifies garage door operator

entrapment provisions of Underwriter

Laboratories, Inc. (‘‘UL’’) standard UL

325, third edition, ‘‘Door, Drapery,

Louver and Window Operators and

Systems.’’ Subparagraph (c) of section

203 of Pub. L. 101–608 also required the

Commission to incorporate into part

1211 any revisions that UL proposed to

the entrapment protection requirements

of UL 325, unless the Commission

notified UL that the revision does not

carry out the purposes of Pub. L. 101–

608.

UL proposed revisions to UL 325 on

June 30, 1998, and made them final on

September 18, 1998. The Commission

determined that the entrapment related

revisions do carry out the purposes of

Public Law 101–608. On June 14, 2000,

the Commission proposed a rule

incorporating into subpart A of part

1211 those revisions that relate to

entrapment by residential automatic

garage door operators and also

correcting a few typographical errors in

part 1211. 65 FR 37318. The

Commission received one comment on

the proposed rule from six students at

Florida International University. Their

comment discussed generally the

entrapment hazard posed by garage

doors and precautions that garage door

owners should take. They suggested a

mandatory standard requiring both an

external entrapment-sensing safety

device and a constant contact control

button. However, this would mean that

the consumer would have to stand in

the garage at the button until the door

is completely closed. Aside from the

inconvenience of such a requirement, it

is beyond the scope of this rulemaking,

the narrow purpose of which is to revise

the existing Commission standard to

reflect recent changes to UL 325.

The changes to the UL standard allow

for advances in the state of the art in

garage door safety. Some new garage

door operators have an inherent

entrapment protection system that can

continuously monitor the position of the

door. The UL revisions add

requirements for this type of system.

Some new garage door operators have

an inherent secondary door sensor that

is independent of the primary

entrapment protection system. The UL

revisions add requirements for this type

of new system. Finally, the UL standard

adds some new and revised provisions

concerning instructions and field

installed labels. The final rule

incorporates these changes into the

CPSC mandatory standard.

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.

605(b), the Commission certifies that

this rule will not have a significant

impact on a substantial number of small

entities. Most of the changes are

editorial and minor. The substantive

changes only affect the few companies

that are developing the new type of

garage door operators discussed above.

Moreover, UL has already made these

changes to its UL 325 standard which is

widely followed by the industry. The

Commission also certifies that this rule

will have no environmental impact. The

Commission’s regulations state that

safety standards for products normally

have little or no potential for affecting

the human environment. 16 CFR

1021.5(c)(1). Nothing in this rule alters

that expectation.

Public Law 101–608 contains a

preemption provision. It states: ‘‘those

provisions of laws of States or political

subdivisions which relate to the labeling

of automatic residential garage door

openers and those provisions which do

not provide at least the equivalent

degree of protection from the risk of

injury associated with automatic

residential garage door openers as the

consumer product safety rule’’ are

subject to preemption under 15 U.S.C.

2075. Pub. L. 101–608, section 203(f).

The rule will become effective 30

days from publication in the Federal

Register and will apply to garage door

operators entering the chain of

distribution on or after that date. The

30-day effective date is appropriate

because the substantive changes affect

only a few companies and they are

identical to changes already made to UL

325, which is widely followed by the

industry.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1211

Consumer protection, Incorporation

by reference, Imports, Labeling,

Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.