SB's not mandatory...

[Gunner]

Just browsing through AOPA and saw this... Does this mean that Robinson SB's (like for -4 blade replacements) will now become AD's?

Gunner

 

 

SBs not mandatory, FAA counsel says

 

The FAA lawyers have spoken: Service bulletins (SBs) are not — repeat not — mandatory for most Part 91 aircraft operators. That's exactly the decision AOPA had encouraged and expected.

 

That had been everyone's understanding of the regulations until two months ago, when an NTSB administrative law judge issued a ruling that clouded the issue.

 

The judge said that by not using the manufacturer's prescribed inspection technique while rebuilding an engine, the mechanic violated regulations. That seemed to imply that any manufacturer SB or instruction for doing something required by regulation took on the force of regulation itself.

 

Not so, said the FAA's Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations Rebecca MacPherson.

 

She issued an "interpretation" of the regulations to answer a question raised by the Cessna Pilot Association's Mike Busch almost a year ago. (It appears the FAA was looking for a case to be able to clarify its position again after the NTSB decision.)

 

Busch asked if the regulations required a mechanic to perform a borescope inspection in addition to a pressure check of Teledyne Continental Motor (TCM) engine cylinders. That's what a TCM SB requires for 100-hour inspections.

 

She said no.

 

All that's required is that mechanics use "methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the administrator."

Manufacturers can't issue 'substantive rules'

 

If manufacturers could make SBs mandatory, it would, "effectively authorize manufacturers to issue 'substantive rules,' as that term is used in the Administrative Procedures Act," MacPherson said.

 

But the FAA can't delegate rulemaking authority to manufacturers, and "substantive rules" must go through public notice-and-comment procedures required by law — and manufacturers can't do that.

SBs not mandatory for most AOPA members

 

Bottom line, if a manufacturer wants to require an owner to do something with his aircraft, the FAA has to approve it.

 

For most of the aircraft flown by AOPA members in noncommercial operations, the only thing you have to do is comply with the FAA's regulations and any applicable airworthiness directives (ADs).

 

A manufacturer's SB isn't mandatory. But check with your mechanic. Complying with an SB still might be a good idea. (And SBs sometimes become mandatory ADs after they've gone through the rulemaking process.)

 

The caveats: Most commercial operators do have to comply with SBs because it is required in their operations specifications.

 

For newer aircraft certificated under Part 23 (rather than CAR 3), SBs can be made mandatory if approved by the FAA and incorporated into the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft's maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness.

[Guest pokey]

Once you get lawyers & judges involved trying to sort out this kind of stuff?,,, ya got problems.

 

Service bullitins were never mandatory, altho no-one knows their product better than the manufacturer. It's a double edged sword tho, SB's are written for a reason: 1) there is an improvement ( necessary OR not) 2) there is an improvement (able to sell more parts/kits) 3) there is a safety issue (manufacturer hopes it will become an AD B4 lawsuits start piling up, so that reason 2 will boost profits)

 

AD's on the other hand? ARE mandatory ( & many SB's become AD's---see reason #2)-- remember the reason/definition of an AD "to correct an un-safe condition"

 

I myself "suggest" to my customers to adhere to all the SB's,,,, ALTHO i have seen a few "totally ridiculous" AD's in my time.

 

In the case of overhauling an engine?--- i have done many & wouldnt even think about NOT complying w/ every applicable SB.---(that goes for magnetos & accessories too)

 

In the case of helicopters? it all depends on the operator, type & amount of flying----i would comply w/them all anyhow !---- besides? it sure makes the customer happy when he just gets a new AD in the mail, calls ya frantically !!! "what are we gonna do?!!!" & ya tell him/her "we complied w/ the service bullitin last annual---yer ok to go fly"

[delorean]

Even "Mandatory SBs" from the manufacturer are not mandatory in a regulatory sense. But, if it's issued that way, within a month or two, it will be an AD making it regulatory. The factory's way of giving you a heads-up.

 

BTW, some to most insurance policies say something to the effect of "will comply with all manufacturers recommendations". That means comply with everything in the POH, MM, SBs, etc.