Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Model IO-720-A1B Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56637-56638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0604; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-21-AD; 
Amendment 39-16791; AD 2011-18-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Model IO-720-A1B 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
model IO-720-A1B Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. This AD 
requires a crankshaft inspection for certain parts that may be 
installed. This AD was prompted by the failure of a crankshaft due to 
incorrect parts installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine 
crankshaft failure and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 29, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norm Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 
516-228-7337; fax: 516-794-5531; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report of a crankshaft failing after a repair station 
installed a crankshaft that had improper counterweight washers 
installed. The repair station has determined that two additional 
engines require inspection, to determine if the crankshaft they 
installed has the same improper washers. However, the two engines which 
have not been inspected, cannot be located. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in engine crankshaft failure and damage to the 
airplane.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removing four cylinders from each affected engine 
and inspecting the engine crankshaft counterweight washers.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a 
crankshaft with improper damper washers installed, failed after 440 
hours of operation. The location of the two additional engines that 
require inspection, and the unknown current time-since-overhaul on 
those engines, warrants immediate notice to advise the current or 
subsequent owner of the need to inspect the engines before further 
flight. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-0604 and 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-21-AD at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect two Lycoming Engines model IO-
720-A1B reciprocating engines, installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that the inspection will take about 0.5 work-hour per 
engine to perform, and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Required parts would cost $0 per engine. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $170.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs'' 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

[[Page 56638]]

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-18-09 Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming Division, 
AVCO Corporation): Amendment 39-16791; Docket No. FAA-2011-0604; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-21-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective September 29, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines, 
model IO-720-A1B, serial number L-1457-54A and serial number L-1458-
54A. These engines were last known to be installed in a Beech U-8F 
(Queen Air) N51779 and operating in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by the failure of a crankshaft due to 
incorrect parts installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine 
crankshaft failure and damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD before further flight after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already done.

Crankshaft Inspection

    (f) Remove the four cylinders from one side of the engine. 
Guidance on removing the cylinders can be found in the Lycoming 
Engines Overhaul Manual.
    (g) Each counterweight has two rollers that should be held in 
place by washers, Lycoming part number (P/N) 71907. The washers can 
be identified as having three holes each, with a diameter of 0.185 
inch. These washers are located at the front and rear of each 
counterweight for a total of four P/N 71907 washers per 
counterweight. The eight counterweights are located at the top and 
bottom of each crankshaft cheek, totaling 32 washers per crankshaft.
    (h) Rotate the crankshaft to inspect the holes in washers at the 
front and rear of each counterweight as well as the top and bottom 
of each cheek.
    (i) If each hole, in each of the 32 washers, measures 0.185 
inch, then no further action is required. Reinstall the cylinders 
and test the engine. Guidance on reinstalling and testing can be 
found in the Lycoming Engines Overhaul Manual.
    (j) If any of the 32 washers have one or more holes that do not 
measure 0.185 inch, then remove the crankshaft assembly and replace 
it with a serviceable crankshaft assembly. Scrap the non-conforming 
crankshaft.

Special Flight Permits

    (k) Special flight permits are authorized only if the engine has 
less than 400 hours time since overhaul.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (m) For more information about this AD, contact Norm Perenson, 
Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7337; fax: 516-794-5531; e-mail: 
[email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 18, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-22244 Filed 9-13-11; 8:45 am]
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