[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29931-29932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14867]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-53; Amendment 39-9648; AD 96-12-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-
Royce, plc O-200 Series Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes two existing airworthiness 
directives (AD's), applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-
Royce, plc O-200 series reciprocating engines, that currently require 
resetting engine timing to 24 deg. Before Top Center (BTC). This 
amendment returns to the 28 deg. BTC engine timing for those engines 
equipped with improved cylinders that have strengthened heads. In 
addition, this amendment drops the TCM O-200C model which never went 
into production. This amendment is prompted by the availability of 
improved cylinders. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent possible cylinder cracking with subsequent loss of engine 
power.

DATES: Effective July 18, 1996.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 18, 1996.

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) by superseding airworthiness 
directive (AD) 77-13-03, Amendment 39-2925 (42 FR 31770, June 23, 
1977), which is applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) O-200A, 
O-200B, was published in the Federal Register on June 15, 1995 (60 FR 
31421). That action proposed to retain the 24 deg. before top center 
(BTC) engine timing for engines with cylinders that have part number 
(P/N) lower than 641917; allow the return to 28 deg. BTC engine timing 
for those engines with cylinder P/N 641917 and subsequent (higher) part 
numbers, restamp the engine data plate to indicate engine timing of 
28 deg. BTC; and drop the TCM O-200C series engines from the AD's 
applicability. The actions must be accomplished in accordance with TCM 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB94-8, dated September 14, 1994.
    This AD also supersedes AD 78-19-02, Amendment 39-3301 (43 FR 
41374, September 18, 1978), applicable to Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) O-
200A, O-200B, and O-200C series engines, which also requires resetting 
the engine timing to 24 deg.. This AD combines the TCM applicability of 
AD 77-13-03 with the R-R applicability of AD 78-19-02 into one, 
superseding AD.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment.
    One commenter (the manufacturer) states that the timing adjustment 
may be set to the limits of (+1 deg., -1 deg.). The NPRM incorrectly 
limited the timing adjustment to (+1 deg., -0 deg.). The FAA concurs 
and has revised this final rule accordingly.
    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 neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 23,500 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 
work hours per engine to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate

[[Page 29932]]

is $60 per work hour. This AD adds no additional requirements; the 
resetting of engine timing for engines with the improved cylinders is 
optional. Therefore, there is no cost imposed by the required actions. 
However, if the timing was reset on all applicable engines, based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,820,000.
    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 39-2925 (42 FR 
31770, June 23, 1977), and Amendment 39-3301 (43 FR 41374, September 
18, 1978), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-
9648, to read as follows:

96-12-06  Teledyne Continental Motors and Rolls-Royce, plc.: 
Amendment 39-9648. Docket 94-ANE-53. Supersedes AD 77-13-03, 
Amendment 39-2925 and AD 78-19-02, Amendment 39-3301.

    Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) Model O-200A 
and O-200B and Rolls-Royce, plc. Model O-200A, O-200B, and O-200C 
reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on but not 
limited to American Champion Models 7ECA and 402; Cessna Model 150, 
150A through 150M, A150K through A150M; Reims Models F-150G through 
F-150M, FA-150K and FA-150L; and Taylorcraft Model F19 aircraft.

    Note: 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 use the 
authority provided in paragraph (g) 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 engine from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible cylinder cracking with subsequent loss of 
engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) For engines that have one or more cylinders with part 
numbers (P/N) lower than 641917, within the next 50 hours time in 
service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, reset the engine 
timing to 24 deg. (+1 deg., -1 deg.) Before Top Center (BTC) on both 
magnetos in accordance with the magneto to engine timing procedure 
for direct drive engines in TCM Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB94-8, 
dated September 14, 1994.
    (b) For engines that have all four cylinders with P/N 641917 or 
higher, the engine timing may be reset to 28 deg. (+1 deg., -1 deg.) 
BTC on both magnetos in accordance with the magneto engine timing 
procedure for direct drive engines in TCM SB No. SB94-8, dated 
September 14, 1994.
    (c) Subsequent installation of cylinders must be of the P/N 
listed in paragraph (b) of this AD to retain the 28 deg. BTC timing.

    Note: The P/N is stamped on the cylinder barrel flange.
    (d) This AD supersedes AD 77-13-03 and AD 78-19-02.
    (e) When paragraph (a) is accomplished, restamp the engine data 
plate to indicate magneto timing of 24 deg. BTC.
    (f) When paragraph (b) is accomplished, restamp the engine data 
plate to indicate magneto timing of 28 deg. BTC.
    (g) 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. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative method of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    (h) 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.
    (i) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following service bulletin:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Document No.               Pages             Date          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCM SB No. SB94-8....................      1-6  September 14, 1994.     
  Total pages: 6.                                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
    (j) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1996.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-14867 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U