Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
NE-07-42
September 4, 2007
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you,
owners and operators of aircraft equipped with a turbocharged engine
that includes a turbocharger or related control components overhauled
by Statesville AeroTech Services of potential discrepancies with those
components. These components might also be included in overhauled
turbocharged engines distributed by Triad Aviation, Incorporated. These
potentially discrepant parts were processed by the noted facilities
between 2005 and June 22, 2007 when Statesville AeroTech voluntarily
surrendered their repair station certificate. Affected aircraft
include, but are not limited to, Beechcraft A and B36TC, 56TC, A56TC,
58P, 58PA, 58TC, 58TCA, 60, A60 and B60, Cessna T182 series, T188, T206
series, T207 series, P210 series, T210 series, T303, T310 series, T320
series, 335, T and P337 series, 340 series, and 400 series, Columbia
400, Commander 112TCA and 114TC, Twin Commander 685 and 700, Lancair IV
and IVP, Mooney M20K, M22, and M20M, and Piper PA28-201T, PA31 series,
PA32-301T, PA32RT-300T, PA34-200T and 220T, PA44-180T, and PA46-310P
and 350P.
Background
Routine surveillance of Statesville AeroTech Services by the
cognizant Flight Standards District Office, from 2005 through June
2007, revealed that turbochargers and related control components might
have been returned to service with inappropriate or incomplete overhaul
processes. These processes include dimensional inspection, component
balance, bench testing/calibration, and final inspection. While the FAA
is unaware of any safety related issues with the components in
question, functional and durability issues with the items might exist.
These issues might include, but are not limited to, inability to
achieve rated critical altitude or engine performance, inability to
achieve reliable and repeatable manifold pressure settings, sluggish
and/or unstable turbocharger operation, high oil consumption or
leakage, and inability to meet expected component life. The components
in question were returned to service either directly to operators or
maintainers of aircraft/engines, or were supplied on engines overhauled
by Triad Aviation, Incorporated.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that owners/operators be aware that
turbochargers and related controls supplied by Statesville AeroTech
Services may present operational and service issues. It is recommended
that these components be examined during the next 100-hour or annual
inspection, whichever occurs first, for their adjustment, integrity,
and function. If there is any question in regard to the airworthiness
of the components, they should be replaced with serviceable assemblies.
The components in question may be identified by the presence of a blue
Statesville nameplate in place of the original manufacturer’s nameplate.
For Further Information Contact
Kevin Brane, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Central Region, Atlanta
Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix
Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; phone (770)-703-6063; fax
(770) 703-6097; email: kevin.brane@faa.gov.