Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines and Continental Motors, Inc. Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72203-72205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29472]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1245; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-41-AD; 
Amendment 39-17279; AD 2012-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines and Continental 
Motors, Inc. 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 
Lycoming Engines TSIO-540-AK1A, and Continental Motors, Inc. TSIO-360-
MB, TSIO-360-SB, and TSIO-360-RB reciprocating engines, with certain 
Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) turbochargers, model TA0411, part 
number (P/N) 466642-0001; 466642-0002; 466642-0006; 466642-9001; 
466642-9002; or 466642-9006, or with certain HET model TA0411 
turbochargers overhauled or repaired since August 29, 2012. This AD 
requires removing the affected turbochargers from service before 
further flight. This AD was prompted by a report of a turbocharger 
turbine wheel that failed a static strength test at its manufacturing 
facility. We are issuing this AD to prevent turbocharger turbine wheel 
failure, reduction or complete loss of engine power, loss of engine 
oil, oil fire, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective December 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 20, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by January 22, 2013.

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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Hartzell 
Engine Technologies, LLC, 2900 Selma Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108, 
phone: 334-386-5400; fax: 334-386-5450; internet: http://www.hartzellenginetech.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, 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 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: Christopher Richards, Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 E. Devon 
Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7156; fax: 847-294-7834; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report of an HET turbocharger turbine wheel that 
failed a static strength test at its manufacturing facility. Subsequent 
tests showed that nearly all turbine wheels, P/N 410188-0019, had 
significant cracking under the surface of a critical weld joint between 
the turbine wheel head and shaft that occurred during manufacturing. 
HET has identified by serial number (S/N) the turbochargers shipped 
from the factory with this unsafe condition. HET has also identified 
the S/N range of affected turbine wheels. Some of the affected turbine 
wheels became available for overhaul or field repair since August 29, 
2012, and may have been installed. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in turbocharger turbine wheel failure, reduction or 
complete loss of engine power, loss of engine oil, oil fire, and damage 
to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed HET Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 048, dated 
November 16, 2012. The ASB lists the known serial numbers of affected 
turbochargers.

[[Page 72204]]

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 or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removing the affected turbochargers from service 
before further flight.

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 HET 
cannot confirm the affected turbochargers can safely be used. 
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-2012-1245 and 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-41-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 affects 56 airplanes of U.S. registry with 
affected turbochargers installed. We also estimate that it will take 
about 4 hours to remove a turbocharger from service. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $19,040.

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.

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):

2012-24-09 Lycoming Engines and Continental Motors, Inc. 
Reciprocating Engines: Amendment 39-17279; Docket No. FAA-2012-1245; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-41-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Lycoming Engines TSIO-540-AK1A, and 
Continental Motors, Inc. TSIO-360-MB, TSIO-360-SB, and TSIO-360-RB 
reciprocating engines with any of the following turbochargers 
installed:
    (1) Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) model TA0411 
turbochargers, part numbers (P/Ns) 466642-0001; 466642-0002; 466642-
0006; 466642-9001; 466642-9002; and 466642-9006, with serial numbers 
(S/Ns) listed in Table 2 of HET Alert Service Bulletin No. 048, 
dated November 16, 2012, installed.
    (2) HET model TA0411 turbochargers having a turbine wheel, P/N 
410188-0019, with any of the turbine wheel S/Ns H120716 through 
H121988, installed.
    (3) HET model TA0411 turbochargers overhauled or repaired since 
August 29, 2012, using a turbine wheel, P/N 410188-0019, with any of 
the turbine wheel S/Ns H120716 through H121988, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a turbocharger turbine wheel 
that failed a static strength test at its manufacturing facility. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent turbocharger turbine wheel failure, 
reduction or complete loss of engine power, loss of engine oil, oil 
fire, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Before further flight, remove from service the turbochargers 
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, unless already done.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are permitted provided that:
    (1) The flight is limited to three hours.
    (2) The turbocharger boost is set to ``Off'' in the cockpit (if 
applicable).
    (3) The wastegate for the turbocharger is safety wired in the 
locked open position.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(h) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Christopher 
Richards, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7156; 
fax:

[[Page 72205]]

847-294-7834; email: [email protected].

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Hartzell Engine Technologies Alert Service Bulletin No. 048, 
dated November 16, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hartzell Engine Technologies, LLC, 2900 Selma Highway, Montgomery, 
AL 36108, phone: 334-386-5400; fax: 334-386-5450; internet: http://www.hartzellenginetech.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 29, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29472 Filed 12-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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