Superior Air Parts, Inc., has issued a mandatory service bulletin (MSB) requiring the replacement of intake valves used in new Superior Millennium Cylinders and cylinders rebuilt/overhauled with Superior intake valves found on Continental 470-, 520- and 550-series engines.
According to a statement from Superior Air Parts, the MSB covers intake valves with part number SA539988. These intake valves were shipped between February 23, 2020 and January 20, 2022.
The MSB may be found here.
The issue, according to Bill Ross, vice president of product support for Superior Air Parts, is that the valves may fail during use.
“We have found three instances where the valves have failed in service,” Ross said. “Our overriding priority is always the safety of our customers and their aircraft. Therefore, after the required inspection, should an owner find that their aircraft has the affected intake valves installed, the aircraft is to be immediately grounded until the impacted cylinders can be replaced.”
Ross also stressed that because the intake valves were used by third-party cylinder overhaul/repair facilities, it is extremely critical that owners whose aircraft use rebuilt/overhauled cylinders using the Superior intake valves contact that shop to confirm whether or not the affected parts may have been used in their engines.
