[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10366]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-ANE-12; Amendment 39-8895; AD 94-06-09]
Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors (Formerly
Bendix) Magnetos
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 94-06-09 that was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of Teledyne Continental Motors
(TCM) (formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos by
individual letters. This AD requires inspection to determine if
capacitors that may have an intermittent open circuit condition are
installed in magnetos, and replacement, if necessary, with serviceable
capacitors. This amendment is prompted by reports that TCM produced and
delivered magneto capacitors that have the potential for an
intermittent open circuit condition that may exist between the internal
through-lead and the p-lead stud terminal. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent possible injury or death to ground
personnel due to a non-grounded magneto.
DATES: Effective May 20, 1994, to all persons except those persons to
whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 94-06-09,
issued on March 9, 1994, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 20, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before July 5, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-12, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
The applicable service information may be obtained from Teledyne
Continental Motors, P.O. Box 90, Mobile, AL 36601; telephone (205) 438-
3411. This information may be examined 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Robinette, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
1669 Phoenix Parkway, suite 210C, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone (404)
991-3810, fax (404) 991-3606.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 9, 1994, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive
(AD) 94-06-09, applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM)
(formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos, which
requires inspection to determine if capacitors that may have an
intermittent open circuit condition are installed in magnetos, and
replacement, if necessary, with serviceable capacitors. That action was
prompted by reports that TCM produced and delivered magneto capacitors,
Part Number (P/N) 10-349276, which have the potential for an
intermittent open circuit condition that may exist between the internal
through-lead and the p-lead stud terminal. The potential open circuit
condition was initially discovered during a production engine test run
at TCM. Further investigation revealed this problem to be limited to
two lot numbers, 93-40 and 93-42, approximately 500 capacitors total.
To date 241 of the capacitors have been found and taken out of service.
These parts were used in magnetos produced at TCM for company use,
Textron Lycoming use, after market sales, and for individual capacitors
sold as spares to the field after October 27, 1993. These individual
replacement parts can be fitted into TCM or Bendix magnetos.
A capacitor with the intermittent open circuit condition described
can result in a ``hot mag'' (i.e. the magneto is not grounded when the
ignition/magneto switch is placed in the off position). The magneto is
therefore capable of producing ignition, and if the propeller is moved
with some residual fuel left in the cylinders, the engine could start
momentarily. This momentary engine start could turn the propeller with
enough force to cause injury or death to ground personnel struck by the
turning propeller. Capacitors with an intermittent open circuit
condition may show no revolutions per minute (RPM) drop-off during the
magneto check prior to flight. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in possible injury or death to ground personnel due to a non-
grounded magneto.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of TCM
Critical Service Bulletin (CSB) 641, dated February 1, 1994, that
describes procedures for determining if magnetos contain capacitors, P/
N 10-349276, that may have an intermittent open circuit condition.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type design, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 94-06-09 to prevent possible injury or death to ground
personnel due to a non-grounded magneto. The AD requires inspection
within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD to
determine if affected capacitors are installed in magnetos, and
replacement, if necessary, with serviceable capacitors. All affected
magnetos must be metal stamped with the letter ``E'' to show
compliance. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance
with the service bulletin described previously.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on March 9, 1994, to all known U.S. owners and operators of TCM
(formerly Bendix) SC-20, SC-200, and S-1200 series magnetos installed
on but not limited to reciprocating engine powered Beech, Cessna,
Maule, Mooney, Piper, and Robinson aircraft. These conditions still
exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an
amendment to Sec. 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(FAR) to make it effective to all persons.
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
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 94-ANE-12.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
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 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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-06-09 Teledyne Continental Motors: Amendment 39-8895. Docket 94-
ANE-12.
Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) (formerly
Bendix) magnetos new and rebuilt TCM Model SC-20, Part Number (P/N)
10-500XXX-X series; Model SC-200, P/N 10-600XXX-X series; and Model
S-1200, P/N 10-349XXX-X series, magnetos with Serial Numbers (S/N)
J2793XXX(R) through J3193XXX(R), K0193XXX(R) through K3093XXX(R) and
L0193XXX(R) through L2293XXX(R) inclusive, with capacitor, P/N 10-
349276, with date code 93-40 or 93-42. In addition, all TCM Model
SC-20, P/N 10-500XXX-X series; SC-200, P/N 10-600XXX-X series; and
S-1200, P/N 10-349XXX-X series, magnetos that have capacitor, P/N
10-349276, identified with date code 93-40 or 93-42, installed after
October 27, 1993. Also, any TCM or Bendix magneto regardless of
serial number that was fitted after October 27, 1993, with
capacitors P/N 10-349276, sold as individual replacement parts with
date code 93-40 or 93-42. These magnetos are installed on but not
limited to reciprocating engine powered Beech, Cessna, Maule,
Mooney, Piper, and Robinson aircraft.
Note: The ``X'' represents numbers in the P/N and S/N that have
no significance in determining applicability: Only the first five
digits are needed. The ``(R)'' at the end of the S/N indicates a
rebuilt magneto. The absence of an ``(R)'' indicates a new magneto.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent possible injury or death to ground personnel due to a
non-grounded magneto, accomplish the following:
Note: Warning: Do not move propellers by hand on engines that
may contain affected capacitors until the inspection procedures
required by this airworthiness directive (AD) are completed. Ground
personnel should avoid the propeller arc.
(a) Within the next 10 hours time in service after the effective
date of this AD, inspect affected magnetos for the presence of
capacitor P/N 10-349276, in accordance with the Detailed
Instructions, paragraphs 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of TCM Critical Service
Bulletin (CSB) 641, dated February 1, 1994, and, if necessary,
replace with a serviceable part as follows:
(1) If the capacitor is marked with a date code other than 93-40
or 93-42, reinstall the capacitor in the magneto and metal stamp the
letter ``E'' in accordance with the Identification paragraph of TCM
CSB641, dated February 1, 1994, to show compliance with this AD. No
further action is required.
(2) If the capacitor is marked with either date code 93-40 or
93-42, replace with a serviceable capacitor of the same P/N but with
a date code other than 93-40 or 93-42, and metal stamp the letter
``E'' in accordance with the Identification paragraph of TCM CSB641,
dated February 1, 1994, to show compliance with this AD.
(b) Prior to installation, inspect uninstalled capacitor, P/N
10-349276, and replace, if necessary, with a serviceable part, in
accordance with the Detailed Instruction, paragraph 2.1 of TCM
CSB641, dated February 1, 1994.
Note: TCM Critical Service Bulletin CSB94-1 dated February 1,
1994, and Lycoming Service Bulletin 517 dated February 25, 1994,
refers to this subject.
(c) 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 methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification
Office.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with the
following service bulletin:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCM CSB641.......................................... 1-2 Original............ Feb. 1, 1994.
Total pages: 2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 (205) 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective May 20, 1994, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by priority letter AD 94-06-09, issued March 9, 1994,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10366 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
