Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58003-58006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24785; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-20-AD; 
Amendment 39-17196; AD 2012-19-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Lycoming Engines (L)O-360, (L)IO-360, AEIO-360, O-540, IO-
540, AEIO-540, (L)TIO-540, IO-580, and IO-720 series reciprocating 
engines. That AD currently requires replacing certain crankshafts in 
the affected engines. This AD continues to require replacing certain 
crankshafts, corrects the start date of affected engine models in 
Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 569A to the start date in 
Supplement No. 1 to Lycoming MSB No. 569A, dated May 27, 2009, and

[[Page 58004]]

includes additional (formerly experimental) IO-390, AEIO-390, and AEIO-
580 series engine models having affected crankshafts. This AD was 
prompted by Lycoming Engines discovering that the start date of 
affected engine models in MSB No. 569A is incorrect and the need to 
include additional engine models having the affected crankshafts. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which will 
result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and 
possible loss of the aircraft.

DATES: This AD is effective October 24, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 24, 
2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in the AD as of 
November 3, 2006 (71 FR 57407, September 29, 2006).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: 570 323-
6181; fax: 570-327-7101, or on the internet at 
www.Lycoming.Textron.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2006-20-09, amendment 39-14778 (71 
FR 57407, September 29, 2006). That AD applies to the specified 
products. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2012 
(77 FR 20743). The original NPRM (76 FR 50152, August 12, 2011) 
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2006-20-09 to replace certain 
crankshafts and to correct the start date of MSB No. 569A from March 1, 
1997 to January 1, 1997, which is the start date in Supplement No. 1 to 
Lycoming MSB No. 569A, dated May 27, 2009. The SNPRM proposed to add 
IO-390, AEIO-390, and AEIO-580 series engine models that have the 
affected crankshafts to the applicability of the AD. The SNPRM also 
proposed to change Service Instruction No. 1009AS, dated May 25, 2006, 
to Service Instruction No. 1009AU, dated November 18, 2009, because 
Lycoming updated this service instruction. The changes to Service 
Instruction 1009AS do not affect the engine overhaul time.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to that comment.

Request To Determine if AD Applies to IO-360 Engine

    A commenter asked if the AD applies to the Lycoming Engine IO-360-
A3B6D. We reply that this engine is listed in Lycoming MSB No. 569A, so 
if the crankshaft serial number of that engine is also listed in Table 
5 of MSB No. 569A, then the AD applies.

Changes to Previous Credit Paragraph

    We reviewed our previous credit paragraph in the SNPRM (77 FR 
20743, April 6, 2012) and found that not all the ADs and service 
bulletins (SBs) listed in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of the SNPRM 
resolved the unsafe conditions. Accordingly, we changed the Credit for 
Previous Actions paragraphs, paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, 
retaining only Lycoming MSB No. 569A and AD 2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, 
September 29, 2006) in the AD to resolve the unsafe condition and 
deleting all other ADs and SBs referenced in the SNPRM. Paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) now read: ``(1) If you previously complied with AD 
2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, September 29, 2006), no further action is 
required. (2) If you previously accomplished Lycoming MSB No. 569A, no 
further action is required.''

Costs of Compliance Paragraph

    We reviewed the cost estimate made in AD 2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, 
September 29, 2006) when we added the new affected engine models to the 
SNPRM (77 FR 20743, April 6, 2012). We found that the cost estimate in 
AD 2006-20-09 included the number of affected engines worldwide rather 
than those installed only on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also found 
that the cost estimate in AD 2006-20-09 already included the engine 
models that we have now added to the applicability of this AD. 
Accordingly, we changed the number of affected engine models from 3,774 
to 2,831 and the overall cost estimate from $60,384,000 to $45,288,000.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 2,831 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. Because the AD compliance interval 
coincides with engine overhaul or other engine maintenance, we estimate 
no additional labor hours will be needed to comply with this AD. 
Required parts will cost about $16,000 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to be $45,288,000. Our 
estimate is independent of any possible warranty coverage.

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 58005]]

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2006-20-09, Amendment 39-14778 (71 FR 57407), and adding the following 
new AD:

2012-19-01 Lycoming Engines: Amendment 39-17196; Docket No. FAA-
2006-24785; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-20-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 24, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, September 29, 
2006).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Lycoming Engines (L)O-360, (L)IO-360, AEIO-
360, IO-390, AEIO-390, O-540, IO-540, AEIO-540, (L)TIO-540, IO-580, 
AEIO-580, and IO-720 series reciprocating engines listed by engine 
model number and serial number in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or 
Table 4 of Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 569A, dated 
April 11, 2006, and those engines with crankshafts listed by 
crankshaft serial number in Table 5 of Lycoming MSB 569A, dated 
April 11, 2006. These applicable engines are manufactured new, 
rebuilt, overhauled, or had a crankshaft installed after January 1, 
1997, according to Supplement No. 1 to Lycoming MSB No. 569A, dated 
May 27, 2009.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD results from Lycoming Engines discovering that the March 
1, 1997 start date of affected engine models in Lycoming MSB No. 
569A, is incorrect. This AD also results from the need to include 
the IO-390, AEIO-390, and AEIO-580 series engine models having 
affected crankshafts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the crankshaft, which will result in total engine power loss, in-
flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions 
have already been done.

(f) Engines For Which Action Is Required

    If you did not previously comply with AD 2006-20-09 or with MSB 
No. 569A, do the following:
    (1) If Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or Table 4 of Lycoming MSB No. 
569A, dated April 11, 2006, lists your engine serial number (S/N), 
and Table 5 of MSB No. 569A, dated April 11, 2006, lists your 
crankshaft S/N, replace the affected crankshaft with a crankshaft 
that is not listed in Table 5 of MSB No. 569A at the earliest of the 
following:
    (i) The time of the next engine overhaul as specified in 
Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009AU, dated November 18, 2009; or
    (ii) The next separation of the crankcase, or
    (iii) No later than 12 years from the time the crankshaft first 
entered service or was last overhauled, whichever is later.
    (2) If Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or Table 4 of Lycoming MSB No. 
569A, dated April 11, 2006, does not list your engine S/N, and Table 
5 of MSB No. 569A does list your crankshaft S/N (an affected 
crankshaft was installed as a replacement), replace the affected 
crankshaft with a crankshaft that is not listed in Table 5 of MSB 
No. 569A at the earliest of the following:
    (i) The time of the next engine overhaul as specified in 
Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009AU, dated November 18, 2009; or
    (ii) The next separation of the crankcase, or
    (iii) No later than 12 years from the time the crankshaft first 
entered service or was last overhauled, whichever is later.

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) If you previously complied with AD 2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, 
September 29, 2006), no further action is required.
    (2) If you previously accomplished Lycoming MSB No. 569A, no 
further action is required.
    (3) If Lycoming Engines manufactured new, rebuilt, overhauled, 
or repaired your engine, or replaced the crankshaft in your engine 
before January 1, 1997, and you have not had the crankshaft 
replaced, no further action is required.
    (4) If Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, or Table 4 of Lycoming MSB No. 
569A, dated April 11, 2006, lists your engine S/N, and Table 5 of 
MSB No. 569A, dated April 11, 2006, does not list your crankshaft S/
N, no further action is required.
    (5) For engine model TIO-540-U2A, S/N L-4641-61A, no action is 
required.

(h) Prohibition Against Installing Certain Crankshafts

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
crankshaft that has a S/N listed in Table 5 of Lycoming MSB No. 
569A, dated April 11, 2006, into any engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, may approve 
AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. AMOCs approved for AD 2002-19-03 (67 FR 59139, September 
20, 2002) and AD 2006-20-09 (71 FR 57407, September 29, 2006) are 
approved as AMOCs for this AD.

(j) Related Information

    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; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 24, 2012.
    (i) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009AU, dated November 18, 
2009.
    (ii) Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin, Supplement No. 1 to 
Service Bulletin No. 569A, dated May 27, 2009.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 3, 2006 (71 FR 57407, September 29, 2006).
    (i) Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 569A, dated April 
11, 2006.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: 570 323-
6181; fax: 570-327-7101, or on the Internet at 
www.Lycoming.Textron.com.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 781-238-7125.
    (7) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 58006]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 27, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22924 Filed 9-18-12; 8:45 am]
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