Ad/Con/89 - Superior Air Parts Cylinder Heads (Cth)
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines
| AD/CON/89 | Superior Air Parts Cylinder Heads | 10/2009 |
Applicability: | Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520, TSIO-520, and IO-550 series reciprocating engines with Superior Air Parts (SAP) investment cast cylinder assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, SA55000-A1 or SA55000-A20P, installed. Note 1: These engines are installed on, but not limited to, the aeroplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1 - Teledyne Continental Motors-Related Aircraft Models
|
|
Note 2: If the engine records don't contain the P/N of the cylinder heads, do the following: a. Remove the valve cover from the cylinder assembly. b. Look at the cylinder head for the P/N SAC 52001 I or SAC 55001 I and the word "AMCAST.'' | ||||||||||||
Requirement: | 1. For engines with SAP investment cast cylinder assemblies, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, a. Inspect each cylinder head around the exhaust valve side for visual cracks or any signs of black combustion leakage. b. Perform a standard cylinder compression test. Note 3: Guidance on standard cylinder compression tests can be found in Teledyne Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin SB03-3, Differential Pressure Test and Borescope Inspection Procedures for Cylinders, dated 28 March 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. Air bubbles, are an indication of air leakage, if on the side of the cylinder head, or near the head-to-cylinder interface. 2. Replace any cylinders inspected in accordance with Requirement 1 of this AD that are found cracked or leaking. 3. Thereafter, repeat the cylinder visual inspections and compression tests detailed in Requirement 1 of this AD. |
| 4. For engines with SAP investment cast cylinder assemblies, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, 5. Do not install any SAP investment cast cylinder assembly, P/Ns SA52000-A1, SA52000-A20P, SA52000-A21P, SA52000-A22P, SA52000-A23P, Note 4: FAA AD 2009-16-03 Amdt 39-15986 dated 23 July 2009 refers. | |
Compliance: | For Requirement 1 - For those engines with over 750 flight hours (FH) time-in-service (TIS) at the effective date of this AD - Within 25 FH TIS after the effective date of this AD. For engine with fewer than 750 FH TIS at the effective date of this AD - Prior to reaching 750 FH TIS. For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection. For Requirement 3 - Within 50 FH time-since-last inspection until the cylinders reach their time-between-overhaul (TBO) limits specified in Teledyne Continental Aircraft Engine Service Information Letter SIL98-9A, Revision A, dated 28 March 2003. For Requirement 4 - At the first TBO after the effective date of this AD. Engines that were already overhauled may continue in service until the first TBO after the effective date of this AD. For Requirement 5 - After the effective date of this AD. |
| This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 September 2009. | |
Background: | This AD results from reports of cracks in the area of the exhaust valve and separation of cylinder heads from the barrels of SAP cylinder assemblies with certain part numbers. We are issuing this AD to prevent the separation of the cylinder head, which could result in immediate loss of engine power, possible structural damage to the engine, and possible fire in the engine compartment. |
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
12 August 2009
0
0
0