Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines (Type Certificate Previously Held by Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30345-30347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0940; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-15-AD; 
Amendment 39-18162; AD 2015-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO 
Corporation)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by 
several reports of cracked engine exhaust pipes. This AD requires 
inspection of the engine exhaust pipes for cracks and replacement of 
the turbocharger mounting bracket. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the exhaust system due to cracking, which could lead to 
uncontrolled engine fire, harmful exhaust gases entering the cabin 
resulting in crew incapacitation, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 2, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: 
800-258-3279; fax: 570-327-7101; Internet: www.lycoming.com/Lycoming/SUPPORT/TechnicalPublications/ServiceBulletins.aspx. 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. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0940.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0940; 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 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Lycoming TIO-540-
AJ1A reciprocating engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on February 2, 2015 (80 FR 5489). The NPRM was prompted by several 
reports of cracked engine exhaust pipes. The NPRM proposed to require 
inspection of the engine exhaust pipes for cracks and replacement of 
the turbocharger mounting bracket. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the exhaust system due to cracking, which could lead to 
uncontrolled engine fire, harmful exhaust gases entering the cabin 
resulting in crew incapacitation, and damage to the airplane.

Related Service Information Under CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Lycoming Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 614A, 
dated October 10, 2014. This service bulletin describes procedures for 
exhaust system inspection and turbocharger mounting bracket 
replacement. It also provides for the return of the turbocharger 
mounting bracket to Lycoming. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 5489, February 2, 
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects about 111 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 8 
hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per hour. Parts replacement will cost about $6,782 per engine. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$828,282. Our cost estimate is exclusive of 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

[[Page 30346]]

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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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):

2015-10-06 Lycoming Engines (Type Certificate previously held by 
Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation): Amendment 39-18162; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0940; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-15-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 2, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A reciprocating 
engines listed by engine serial number (S/N) in Figure 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD and to any TIO-540-AJ1A reciprocating 
engine with a replacement turbocharger mounting bracket installed 
that was purchased between April 5, 2012 and May 29, 2014.

                          Figure 1 to Paragraph (c)--Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A Engine S/Ns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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            L-6748-61E                  L-13828-61E                 L-13832-61E                 L-13843-61E
           L-13817-61E                  L-13831-61E                 L-13833-61E                 L-13847-61E
           L-13819-61E                  L-13823-61E                 L-13839-61E                 L-13855-61E
           L-13856-61E                  L-13947-61E                 L-14011-61E                 RL-2551-61E
           L-13857-61E                  L-13948-61E                 L-14013-61E                 RL-2848-61E
           L-13866-61E                  L-13949-61E                 L-14014-61E                 RL-3450-61E
           L-13867-61E                  L-13950-61E                 L-14015-61E                 RL-4138-61E
           L-13873-61E                  L-13960-61E                 L-14017-61E                 RL-7243-61E
           L-13882-61E                  L-13961-61E                 L-14024-61E                 RL-7512-61E
           L-13883-61E                  L-13962-61E                 L-14025-61E                 RL-8435-61E
           L-13884-61E                  L-13967-61E                 L-14026-61E                 RL-8767-61E
           L-13885-61E                  L-13973-61E                 L-14028-61E                 RL-8914-61E
           L-13886-61E                  L-13975-61E                 L-14034-61E                 RL-8979-61E
           L-13895-61E                  L-13976-61E                 L-14054-61E                 RL-9399-61E
           L-13896-61E                  L-13979-61E                 L-14055-61E                 RL-9466-61E
           L-13898-61E                  L-13981-61E                 L-14056-61E                 RL-9618-61E
           L-13900-61E                  L-13983-61E                 L-14057-61E                 RL-9663-61E
           L-13902-61E                  L-13984-61E                 L-14062-61E                RL-10098-61E
           L-13907-61E                  L-13993-61E                 L-14063-61E                RL-10194-61E
           L-13913-61E                  L-13996-61E                 L-14066-61E                RL-10249-61E
           L-13915-61E                  L-13997-61E                 L-14067-61E                RL-10615-61E
           L-13930-61E                  L-13998-61E                 L-14069-61E                RL-11011-61E
           L-13931-61E                  L-13999-61E                 L-14071-61E                RL-12121-61E
           L-13934-61E                  L-14000-61E                 L-14076-61E                RL-12163-61E
           L-13936-61E                  L-14001-61E                 L-14077-61E                RL-12343-61E
           L-13938-61E                  L-14003-61E                 RL-1726-61E                RL-13352-61E
           L-13939-61E                  L-14004-61E                 RL-1810-61E                RL-13601-61E
           L-13946-61E                  L-14005-61E                 RL-1862-61E       ..........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several reports of cracked engine 
exhaust pipes. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
exhaust system due to cracking, which could lead to uncontrolled 
engine fire, harmful exhaust gases entering the cabin resulting in 
crew incapacitation, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For affected engines with an S/N listed in Figure 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD with 400 hours or less time since new (TSN) 
or time since last overhaul (TSLO), and for any TIO-540-AJ1A 
reciprocating engine with a replacement turbocharger mounting 
bracket installed that was purchased between April 5, 2012 and May 
29, 2014, that has accumulated 400 hours or less time-in-service 
(TIS), within 25 hours after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the turbocharger mounting bracket with a part eligible for 
installation, and inspect the exhaust pipes for cracks. Use Lycoming 
Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 614A, dated October 10, 
2014, Exhaust System Disassembly and Removal, paragraphs 1 through 
22 to replace the bracket, and Exhaust System Inspection, paragraphs 
1 through 5 to do the inspection.

[[Page 30347]]

    (2) For affected engines with an S/N listed in Figure 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD with more than 400 hours TSN or TSLO, and 
for any TIO-540-AJ1A reciprocating engine with a replacement 
turbocharger mounting bracket installed that was purchased between 
April 5, 2012 and May 29, 2014, that has accumulated more than 400 
hours TIS, replace the turbocharger mounting bracket with a part 
eligible for installation, and inspect the exhaust pipes for cracks 
at the next engine overhaul, separation of the crankcase halves, or 
twelve years from the effective date of this AD, whichever comes 
first. Use Lycoming Engines MSB No. 614A, dated October 10, 2014, 
Exhaust System Disassembly and Removal, paragraphs 1 through 22 to 
replace the bracket, and Exhaust System Inspection, paragraphs 1 
through 5 to do the inspection.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not return to service 
any TIO-540-AJ1A engine with a turbocharger mounting bracket that 
was removed from an engine identified in Figure 1 to paragraph (c) 
of this AD or that was purchased between April 5, 2012 and May 29, 
2014.

(g) Credit for Previous Action

    (1) If, before the effective date of this AD, you replaced the 
turbocharger mounting bracket with one eligible for installation you 
may take credit for your prior corrective action. No further 
turbocharger mounting bracket replacement is required.
    (2) If, before the effective date of this AD, you performed the 
crack inspection using either of the following:
    (i) Lycoming Engines MSB No. 614A, dated October 10, 2014, 
Exhaust System Inspection, paragraphs 1 through 5, or
    (ii) Cessna Service Letter No. SEL-78-01, dated May 30, 2014, 
you may take credit for your prior corrective action. No further 
inspection is required. However, you must still replace the 
turbocharger mounting bracket.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(i) 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].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Lycoming Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 614A, dated 
October 10, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Lycoming Engines service information identified in this 
AD, contact Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 
17701; phone: 800-258-3279; fax: 570-327-7101; Internet: 
www.lycoming.com/Lycoming/SUPPORT/TechnicalPublications/ServiceBulletins.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 May 12, 2015.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-12651 Filed 5-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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