2014-05-29: SAP replacement parts manufacturer approval (PMA) investment cast cylinder assemblies

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: [[Page 15675]] PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-16-03, Amendment 39-15986 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009), and adding the following new AD: 2014-05-29 Continental Motors, Inc. (formerly Teledyne Continental Motors, Continental): Amendment 39-17801; Docket No. FAA-2007-0051; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-37-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective April 25, 2014. (b) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2009-16-03, Amendment 39-15986 (74 FR 38896, August 5, 2009). (c) Applicability This AD applies to: (1) Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) IO-520, TSIO-520, and IO-550 series reciprocating engines with replacement Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) parts manufacturer approval (PMA) investment cast cylinder assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000- A20P, installed. (2) All other engine models approved for the use of CMI 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies such as the CMI 470 series engines when modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), with SAP investment cast cylinder assemblies, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000- A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000-A20P, installed. (3) This AD applies to all serial numbers for the P/Ns listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. (4) If no SAP replacement cylinders were installed during engine maintenance since the CMI engines were new, then this AD does not apply. (d) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the need to add to the applicability all other engine models approved for the use of CMI 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies such as the CMI 470 series engines when modified by STC, with affected SAP investment cast cylinder assemblies installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent the separation of the cylinder head, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. (e) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (f) Identification of SAP Cylinder Assemblies Seeing the SAP cylinder assembly P/Ns referenced in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD may be difficult because the assembly P/Ns are stamped on the bottom cylinder flange. Therefore, you may review the engine maintenance records instead of the steps listed in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, to see if the engine records identify the P/Ns of the cylinders installed. If the records do not identify the P/Ns of the cylinders installed, do the following: (1) Remove the valve cover from the cylinder assembly. (2) Look at the top ofthe cylinder head for the casting markings ``AMCAST'' or ``CP'' (note that the cylinder head casting part number, P/N SAC 52001 ``I'' or P/N SAC 55001 ``I'', will also be visible). If a cylinder head has these markings, do the steps required by paragraphs (g) through (j) of this AD. (g) Initial Inspection of SAP Cylinder Assemblies For engines and cylinders listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, with cylinders over 750 flight hours (FH) time-in- service (TIS) on the effective date of this AD, do the following initial inspection within 25 FH TIS. (1) Inspect each cylinder head around the exhaust valve side for visual cracks or any signs of black combustion leakage. (2) Replace any cracked or leaking cylinders before further flight. (3) Perform a standard cylinder compression test. Guidance on standard cylinder compression tests can be found in Teledyne Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin SB03-3, Differential Pressure Test and Borescope InspectionProcedures for Cylinders, dated March 28, 2003. (i) If the cylinder pressure gauge reads below 60 pounds per square inch, determine if the unacceptable pressure is due to a cracked cylinder. (ii) To check the cylinder, apply a 2-percent soapy water solution to the side of the leaking cylinder. (iii) If you see air bubbles, indicating air leakage, on the side of the cylinder head, or near the head-to-cylinder interface, replace the cylinder assembly before further flight. (h) Repetitive Inspections of SAP Cylinder Assemblies Thereafter, repeat the cylinder visual inspections and compression tests specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3)(iii) of this AD, within every 50 FH time-since-last inspection until the cylinder reaches the TIS as listed in paragraph (i) of this AD. (i) Replacing SAP Cylinder Assemblies For installed cylinders, replace the affected SAP cylinders at the earliest of the following: (1) When the cylinder reaches the operating hours TIS between overhaul limits specified in Table 1, ``Engine Time Between Overhaul'', in Continental Motors Aircraft Engine Service Information Letter SIL98-9C, Revision C, dated July 17, 2013; or (2) When the cylinder reaches 12 calendar years-since- installation. (j) Prohibition Against Installing Certain P/Ns of SAP Cylinder Assemblies After the effective date of this AD, do not install or reinstall after any removal, any SAP investment cast cylinder assembly, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1, or SA55000-A20P, in any engine. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Special Certification Office, may approve AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. (l) Special Flight Permits Under 14 CFR Part 39.23, we will not approve special flight permits for this AD for engines that have failed the visual inspection or the 50-hour periodic cylinder assembly compression test required by this AD. (m) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Peter W. Hakala, Aerospace Engineer, Special Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; phone: 817- 222-5145; fax: 817-222-5785; email: peter.w.hakala@faa.gov. (n) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Continental Motors Aircraft Engine Service Information Letter SIL98-9C, Revision C, dated July 17, 2013. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Continental Motors, Inc. service information identified in this AD, contact Continental Motors, Inc., 2039 Broad St., Mobile, AL 36615; phone: 251-438-3411; Web site: http://www.continentalmotors.aero/Support_Materials/Publications/Service_Bulletins. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. (5) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202 741 6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.