New (February 2020) FAA AD - Superior Air Parts Crank Shaft

[mckes]

Smiling Jack,
Do you have any further on the AMOC?

Originally Posted by Smilin' Jack

I talked with Bill Ross at Superior on Tuesday this week and after he verified my
Crankshaft. He was very cordial and took about 30 minutes talking and answering my questions

He stated that Superior is very confident that the FAA with permit the AMOC on the crankshaft. It will entitle:
Removing the crankshaft
Sending the crankshaft to Aircraft Speciality Services where it will be inspected
Ground down .003 inches checked for fractures and then re nitrated and certified as overhauled.

He did speak about what he thought Superior’s contribution would be be that they were having meeting this week to finalize their thoughts


Hopefully we will hear soon. They are working on it.

[JPGrobler]

The 15th of Jan has come and gone. No new info? This has been dragging for such a long time. It looks as whatever the decision, the engine will have to come out.

[Smilin' Jack]

Yes I talked with Bill Ross again at Superior on the 15th. They had another meeting with the FAA and he is very hopeful to have a resolution this coming week.

He said it is working out the details.

I am like all the other folks. I will fly my 25 hours that I have remaining an pray this comes to a conclusion on the approval AMOC.

The bulk of the planes are certified aircraft. If I recall his numbers. 77 experimental and 177 certified.

[Smilin' Jack]

Fellow RVer’s
I am like some on the board waiting to hear something positive from Superior
Air Parts on the AMOC

I am down to the 25 hours of the AD and am hoping that something transpires soon.

Just curious how many RV’s are affected!

I will call tomorrow Friday the 22nd to see what’s is up at Superior

Jack

[akarmy]

Originally Posted by Smilin' Jack

Just curious how many RV’s are affected!

Hard to say, but I suspect most of the 70+ listed as experimental are RV's just by the nature of how many are built every year.

You're not alone in the wait for a solution. I grounded my 8 Jan 1 and am waiting to see what the options might be for repair. I suspect I will not fly this year unfortunately. But we will see.

[Wingnut]

For instance, if my affected engine is still in the crate and not on a plane (and thus not on the FAA’s registry) am I still counted in the 70+ or am I adding to the count? Stated another way, does the count come from the FAA registry or from the number of cranks produced? I suppose my silver lining is that I don’t have to remove the engine from my plane. Something to be said for a SLOW build.

[Smilin' Jack]

Having talked to Bilk Ross even yesterday 1/26
They are still waiting on the FAA

If I had an engine in the crate I would send it back and have it reworked !

I called the AOPA and the AD is not on their list so to say they are more concerned with the Piper spar. But I hope I awoke a sleeping giant at the AOPA and might get some response from them.

I called Aircraft Specialities and offered to send my crank into them for overhaul and they stated they could not overhaul it since it is subject to the AD and that nothing is resolved yet with Superior and the FAA

Also learned that according to the AOPA that experimental engines are not subject to the AD but in good judgment I would be very negligent if something did happen.

In my heart if there were 2 or more failures a year because of this coating then I can understand a major concern.

Still only 3 failures from my understanding.

Wish I had an answer
Jack

[EdH]

As there's been no news on this, I emailed the contact listed on the FAA AD document to ask about the AMOC.

A formal AMOC request for Superior Crankshaft AD 2020-25-12 has not yet been received by my office. Hope that helps.

Best,

Justin H. Carter
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion.

[Smilin' Jack]

Talked to the AOPA and here is what they stated
Jack,

AOPA has been working with Superior Air Parts and the FAA on an AMOC. However, it’s been going a little slower than anticipated. Much of the data and information that is needed is coming from SAP and they have been waiting on data from another party. AOPA checked in with them late last week and they said it should be soon…

If I can assist further, please let me know.


Craig Brown
Senior Technical Specialist (AOPA)
Airman Certification Representative (ASI)
craig.brown@aopa.org
301-957-3802

[Smilin' Jack]

In an effort to keep our RV community updated I had another call with Superior Air Parts.
I mentioned it has been almost 2 weeks since I last talked to Bill Ross
I mentioned that we had found out no AMOC had been submitted and he said that the technical data was changed to make it in line with precious
Language that had been approved on other crankshaft replacements. It would help the AMOC be approved quicker.

He stated that the AMOC should be submitted within the next couple weeks.
I the asked him what was Superiors commitment to the cost involved in the rework of the crankshaft. He stated that the work at Aircraft Specialty would be covered by Superior as week as all gaskets and several other items required to put the engine back together. Aircraft Specilities is aware of discussions.

I asked if this had to be approved by the parent company a Chinese company and he stated no it is done in-house.

Asked if there would be an allowance for Labor required to take the engine apart and reassembly and he stated probably not.

Asked if there would be a discount on new cylinder assemblies in case an individual wanted to do a complete overhaul at this time and he stated it has been discussed but no final decision.

Fortunately some progress is being made abet slow

As of 2/8.

Jack