FAA SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
Aviation Safety INFORMATION BULLETIN
SAIB: NE-18-27
SUBJ: POWERPLANT – Rocker Shaft Boss Inspection Date: September 10, 2018
This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts registered owners, operators, and
certified repair facilities of all airplanes equipped with Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) Model
C75, C85, C90, C125, C145, O-200, O-300, and GO-300 series and Rolls-Royce plc (RR) C90, O-
200 and O-300 series reciprocating engines of miscommunication regarding the applicability section
of AD 94-05-05 R1, effective on February 13, 1996.
The FAA has received reports that FAA personnel have provided guidance that has resulted in
confusion on complying with AD 94-05-05R1. The intent of this SAIB is to correct this mis-
communication.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant AD action under
Title 14 of the CODE of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Background
The FAA has been notified that previous FAA guidance provided to the public on the applicability
requirements of AD 94-05-05 R1 appears inconsistent with the AD requirements. This has resulted in
confusion among operators and at least two companies have issued service instructions that
incorrectly state that engines installed with their cylinders are exempt from the requirements of AD
94-05-05 R1.
Operators have requested clarification of the FAA guidance and our review determined that previous
FAA guidance was incorrect and inconsistent with the applicability requirements of AD 94-05-05 R1.
AD 94-05-05 R1 provides instructions for inspecting cylinder head rocker shaft bosses and if cracks
are found, replacing with a serviceable cylinder. The Applicability section of this AD states:
Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) Model C75, C85, C90, C125,
C145, O-200, O-300, and GO-300 series and Rolls-Royce, plc (R-R) C90, O-200 and
O-300 series reciprocating engines, installed on but not limited to American
Champion models 7BCM, 7CCM, 7DC, S7DC, S7CCM, 7EC, S7EC, 7FC, 7JC, and
7ECA; Cessna Models 120, 140, 150, 170, 172, 172A-H, and 175; Luscombe Models
8E, 8F, and T-8F; Maule Models Bee Dee M-4, M-4, M-4C, M-4S, M-4T, M-4-210,
M-4-210C, M-4-210S, M-4-210T, and M-5-210C; Piper Models PA-18 and PA-19;
Reims Aviation SA Models F172D, E, F, G, H, K; F150G, H, J, K, L, M; FA150K, L;
FRA150L; Swift Models GC-1A and GC-1B; Univair (Erco) Models 415-D, E, and G;
Univair (Forney) Models F-1 and F-1A; Univair (Alon) Model A-2 and Univair
(Mooney) Model M-10 aircraft.
NOTE: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered,
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or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have
been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this
AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (d) to
request approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may
address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition,
or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD.
Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration
on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any
modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the applicability of this
AD.
This AD applies to all engine models listed in the applicability section regardless of the type of
cylinder installed (e.g., factory new cylinders, PMA cylinders, new or used, etc.). The AD contains
instructions by which a person can request an alternate method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that provide an acceptable level of safety.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that repair stations, owners, operators and maintenance personnel review the
requirements in AD 94-05-05 R1. If the engine in question matches the model numbers listed in the
applicability section of the AD, then all requirements of AD 94-05-05 R1 must be complied with,
regardless of the cylinder manufacturer or part number installed.
For Further Information, Contact
Erik Bedillion, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA
30337; phone: (404) 474-5583; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
[email protected].
For Related Service Information Contact
Continental Motors, Inc. Customer Services, 2039 South Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36615; Phone:
(800) 326-0089
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Please find attached a Foreign State of Design Advisory document, endorsed by EASA.
This advisory document is also online at https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/NE-18-27 . Please note that the
related FAA AD 94-05-05R1 has been also published on EASA Safety Publications Tool.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Agency by e-mail at
[email protected] or by fax,
No.: +49 221 89990 9515.
Safety Information Section Email:
[email protected]
EASA Website
(Attachment is in Acrobat PDF format)
Postal: Postfach 10 12 53, 50452 Cologne, Germany
An agency of the European Union
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European Aviation Safety Agency.