[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20413]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 22, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-ANE-44; Amendment 39-9006; AD 94-17-11]
Airworthiness Directives; Teledyne Continental Motors (Formerly
Bendix) S-20, S-200, S-600, and S-1200 Series Magnetos
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) (formerly Bendix)
S-20, S-200, S-600, and S-1200 series magnetos, that currently requires
replacing Bendix ignition coils and rotating magnets, regardless of
total time in service (TIS), with improved TCM ignition coils, rotating
magnets and marking magnetos to indicate compliance with this AD,
except for the S-1200 series magnetos on which the AD requires
replacing only the ignition coils as that series magneto already
incorporates rotating magnets with the improved TCM design. This
amendment limits the number of magnetos requiring replacement. This
amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer that there is
an error in the serial number listing of affected magnetos. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent magneto failure and
subsequent engine failure.
DATES: Effective September 6, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 6, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 21, 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. 93-ANE-44, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
The service information referenced in this AD 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 December 29, 1993, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) issued airworthiness directive (AD) 94-01-03,
Amendment 39-8785 (59 FR 4555, February 1, 1994), to require replacing
certain Bendix ignition coils and rotating magnets, regardless of time
in service (TIS), with improved serviceable Teledyne Continental Motors
(TCM) ignition coils and rotating magnets at either the next 100-hour
inspection, the next annual inspection, the next progressive
inspection, or the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of the
AD, whichever occurs first. For S-1200 series magnetos, the AD requires
replacing only the ignition coils as the rotating magnets on that
series magneto already incorporates the improved TCM design.
Additionally, the AD requires remarking magnetos to indicate compliance
with the AD. That action was prompted by recent reports of accidents
caused by failures of magnetos incorporating older Bendix components
that had not been replaced in accordance with superseded AD 73-07-04,
Amendment 39-1731 (38 FR 27600, October 5, 1973). That condition, if
not corrected, could result in magneto failure and subsequent engine
failure.
Since the issuance of that AD, TCM has informed the FAA that an
error in the serial number listing in TCM Service Bulletin (SB) No.
637, dated December 1992, resulted in too many affected magnetos
requiring AD compliance. The AD should apply only to certain magnetos
manufactured by Bendix in Sidney, New York, and not to any Bendix
magnetos built in either Jacksonville, Florida, or Atlanta, Georgia. In
addition, the S-600 series magnetos require replacement of only the
rotating magnets and not the ignition coils. Finally, the FAA received
reports that there is some confusion as to how the S-20, S-200, S-600,
and S-1200 series magnetos are referenced in the TCM SB and the AD. TCM
has issued a revised SB that corrects these errors.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of TCM
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB644, dated April 4, 1994, that
describes procedures for replacing certain Bendix ignition coils and
rotating magnets with improved serviceable TCM ignition coils and
rotating magnets and marking magnetos to indicate compliance with this
MSB.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, this AD
revises AD 94-01-03 to require replacement of certain Bendix ignition
coils and rotating magnets with improved serviceable TCM ignition coils
and rotating magnets. For the S-600 series magnetos, this AD requires
replacing only the rotating magnets as there is no replacement for the
ignition coils. For the S-1200 series magnetos, this AD requires
replacing only the ignition coils as the rotating magnets on that
series magnetos already incorporate the improved TCM/Bendix design.
Finally, this AD requires marking magnetos to indicate compliance with
this AD. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with
the SB described previously.
The errors in the SB have caused an undue economic burden to those
operators that were mandated to replace the specified components of
magnetos. This AD action will therefore relieve operators of
unnecessary expense, and the FAA is issuing this AD as a final rule
without prior comment. 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
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 93-ANE-44.'' 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 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. 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 removing Amendment 39-8785 (59 FR
4555, February 1, 1994) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-9006, to read as follows:
94-17-11 Teledyne Continental Motors: Amendment 39-9006. Docket 93-
ANE-44. Revises AD 94-01-03, Amendment 39-8785.
Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), formerly
Bendix magnetos:
S-20, S-200, and S-600 series magnetos with red or black Bendix
(not TCM) data plates having serial numbers (S/N's): Lower than
2000000 without any letter prefix; or S/N's lower than A16058 having
the letter ``A'' prefix.
S-20, S-200, and S-600 series magnetos with blue Bendix (not
TCM) data plates marked ``REMANUFACTURED'' having S/N's lower than
901001.
S-1200 series magnetos with red Bendix (not TCM) data plates
having S/N's: lower than 2000000 without any letter prefix; or S/N's
lower than A132844 having the letter ``A'' prefix.
S-1200 series magnetos with blue Bendix (not TCM) data plates
marked ``REMANUFACTURED'' having S/N's lower than 901001.
These magnetos are installed on but not limited to reciprocating
engine powered aircraft manufactured by Beech, Cessna, Maule,
Mooney, and Piper.
Note 1: Yellow Bendix or TCM service spare data plates may have
been installed during a field overhaul; use model and S/N to
determine applicability.
Note 2: No action is required for those magnetos in compliance
with AD 94-01-03.
Note 3: Magnetos built by Bendix in Jacksonville, Florida, and
Magnetos built by TCM in Atlanta, Georgia, as indicated on the data
plate, are not affected by this AD.
Note 4: The paint on some early data plates may have been
obliterated and the data plate will appear silver in color; use
model and serial number to determine applicability.
Note 5: The FAA has received reports of some confusion as to
what is meant by S-20, S-200, S-600, and S-1200 series magnetos as
referenced in TCM Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB644, dated
April 4, 1994, and this AD. A typical example is S6RN-25, where the
S designates single type ignition unit, the 6 designates the number
of engine cylinders, the R designates right hand rotation, the N is
the manufacturer designator (this did not change when TCM purchased
the Bendix magneto product line), and the number after the dash
indicates the series (a -25 is a S-20 series magneto, while a -1225
is a S-1200 series magneto).
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent magneto failure and subsequent engine failure,
accomplish the following:
(a) For Bendix S-20 and S-200 series magnetos, replace Bendix
ignition coils and rotating magnets identified in the Detailed
Instructions of TCM MSB No. MSB644, dated April 4, 1994, with
appropriate serviceable ignition coils and rotating magnets at the
next 100 hour inspection, the next annual inspection, the next
progressive inspection, or the next 100 hours time in service (TIS)
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(b) For the Bendix S-600 series magnetos, replace Bendix
rotating magnets identified in the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB
No. MSB644, dated April 4, 1994, with appropriate serviceable
rotating magnets at the next 100 hour inspection, the next annual
inspection, the next progressive inspection, or the next 100 hours
TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Note: The ignition coils on the S-600 series magnetos already
incorporate the improved design.
(c) For the Bendix S-1200 series magneto, replace Bendix
ignition coils identified in the Detailed Instructions of TCM MSB
No. MSB644, dated April 4, 1994, with appropriate serviceable
ignition coils at the next 100 hour inspection, the next annual
inspection, the next progressive inspection, or the next 100 hours
TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Note: The rotating magnets on the S-1200 series magnetos already
incorporate the improved design.
(d) After compliance with paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this
AD, as applicable, and prior to further flight, mark the magneto in
accordance with the Identification Instructions of TCM SB No.
MSB644, dated April 4, 1994.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial 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 AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
(f) 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.
(g) The replacement and identification shall be done in
accordance with the following service document:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document No. Pages Date
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TCM SB No. MSB644........................ 1-3 Apr. 4, 1994.
Total pages: 3
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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.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on September 6, 1994.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 11, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-20413 Filed 8-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-03-P
