AD 99-04-15 Airworthiness Directives; Dr.Ing.h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft (Porsche) 3200N01, N02, and N03 Reciprocating Engines

Makes named: mooney. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Porsche PFM3200N01, N02, and N03 reciprocating engines, installed on but not limited to Mooney M20L series airplanes. Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent in-flight engine shutdown due to undetected fatigue failures of valve springs, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to further flight, for engines that upon the effective date of this AD have 500 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) since new or since the last overhaul, replace all valve springs in accordance with Porsche service bulletin (SB) No. N/105-036, dated October 8, 1998, Instructions, page 2, Nos. 1-14. (b) For engines that upon the effective date of this AD have less than 500 hours TIS since new or since the last overhaul, replace all valve springs prior to accumulating 500 hours TIS since new or since the last overhaul in accordance with Porsche SB No. N/ 105-036, dated October 8, 1998, Instructions, page 2, Nos. 1-14. (c) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS since last valve spring replacement, replace all valve springs in accordance with Porsche SB No. N/105-036, dated October 8, 1998, Instructions, page 2, Nos. 1-14. (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office. (e) The replacement of the valve springs must be done in accordance with Porsche SB No. N/105-036, dated October 8, 1998. 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 Porsche Aviation Products, Inc., 1600 Holcomb Avenue, Reno, Nevada, 89502; Attn: Mr. Gary Butcher, telephone (702) 329-3937, fax (702) 329-0426. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 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. (f) This amendment becomes effective April 12, 1999, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 99-04-15, issued February 8, 1999, which contained the requirements of this amendment. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 17, 1999. Donald Plouffe, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-7212 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U