COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines

AD/CON/63

Amdt 1

Applicability: All models.

Connecting Rods 11/99

Requirement: To prevent the possible failure of a connecting rod bolt; during assembly of all connecting rod bolts and nuts, the nuts are to be torqued in accordance with the torque limits detailed in Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) Service Bulletin SB96-7B.

Note: Where there is a conflict between the torque limits detailed in SB96-7B and the applicable TCM engine model overhaul manual, this directive designates SB96-7B has priority over the applicable engine model overhaul manual, CAR 50E refers.

Compliance: At each assembly of a connecting rod to a crankshaft.

This Amendment becomes effective on 4 November 1999.

Background:  This directive was originally issued to require compliance with the manufacturer’s 1992 revision to connecting rod assembly torque limits. The requirement reflected the results of a 1991 CASA investigation of a fatal C210 accident. The engine failure in that accident was attributed, in part, to marginal connecting rod bolt torque limits detailed in the engine overhaul manual. The manufacturer’s election to revise the torque limits were then detailed in SB M92-15, not an amendment to the applicable overhaul manual.

This amendment reflects the manufacturer’s latest revision to torque limits. The torque limits detailed in the requirement document continue to conflict with torque limits detailed in certain overhaul manuals. Therefore, this directive continues to mandate the revised limits.

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 December 1992.