[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 307-309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33399]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-ANE-37; Amendment 39-9874; AD 97-01-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Lycoming Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Textron Lycoming reciprocating engines. This 
action requires removal from service of defective piston pins, and 
replacement with serviceable parts. This amendment is prompted by a 
report of failure of a piston pin. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent piston pin failure, which could result in engine 
failure.

DATES: Effective January 21, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 21, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 4, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-ANE-37, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Textron Lycoming, 652 Oliver St., Williamsport, PA 17701; telephone 
(717) 327-7278, fax (717) 327-7022. This information may be examined at 
the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Franco Pieri and Pat Perrotta, 
Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine 
and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth St., Valley Stream, NY 11581; 
telephone (516) 256-7526 and (516) 256-7534, fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
received a report of metal detected in an engine oil filter on a 
Textron Lycoming Model AEIO-540-L1B5 reciprocating engine. The 
investigation revealed the metal in the oil filter was caused by a 
failed piston pin, Part Number (P/N) LW-14077. Failure of the piston 
pin may cause puncturing of the engine crankcase by the piston rod 
resulting in the loss of oil leading to total power failure and 
possible fire. Failure of the piston pin may also cause jamming of the 
engine crankcase by the piston rod resulting in total power failure. 
The FAA has determined that a quantity of piston pins, marked with code 
17328, were produced that did not meet manufacturing specifications. 
The defects are grooves in the piston pin created during manufacturing 
that result in the fatigue failure of the pins. Textron Lycoming has 
notified the FAA of three piston pin failures that were reported at 50, 
62.4 and 386 hours total time in service (TIS) with the defective 
piston pin installed. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
piston pin failure, which could result in engine failure.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron 
Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 527B, dated October 8, 
1996, that lists serial numbers (S/Ns) of engines manufactured, 
remanufactured, or overhauled by Textron Lycoming during the time 
period that defective piston pins could have been installed, and 
describes procedures for removal from service of defective piston pins, 
and replacement with serviceable parts.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent piston pin failure, which could result in 
engine failure. This AD requires removal from service of defective 
piston pins, and replacement with serviceable parts. The actions are 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the Mandatory SB 
described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact

[[Page 308]]

concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules 
Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-ANE-37.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-01-03  Textron Lycoming: Amendment 39-9874. Docket 96-ANE-37.

    Applicability: Textron Lycoming O-320, IO-320, AEIO-320, O-360, 
LO-360, IO-360, LIO-360, VO-360, IVO-360, HO-360, HIO-360, AIO-360, 
AEIO-360, TIO-360, TO-360, O-540 (except O-540-J1A5D, -J1C5D, -
J2A5D, -J3A5D, -J3C5D, -L3C5D), IO-540 (except IO-540-W1A5D, -W3A5D, 
-AB1A5), AEIO-540, TIO-540, LTIO-540, TIO-541, TIGO-541, and IO-720 
series reciprocating engines, that meet any one of the following 
conditions:
    1. Engines with serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Textron Lycoming 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 527B, dated October 8, 1996; or
    2. Engines that had Textron Lycoming cylinder kits installed 
after December 15, 1995; or
    3. Engines that have been overhauled, or had cylinder head 
maintenance performed, by a repair facility other than Textron 
Lycoming after December 15, 1995.
These engines are installed on but not limited to reciprocating 
engine powered aircraft manufactured by Aerospatiale, Bellanca, 
Cessna, The New Piper Company, Beech, Schweizer, Maule, and Mooney.

    Note 1: A maintenance records check may allow an owner or 
operator to determine if this AD applies.
    Note 2: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of 
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area 
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been 
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the 
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent piston pin failure, which could result in engine 
failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) For engines with S/Ns listed in Textron Lycoming Mandatory 
SB No. 527B, dated October 8, 1996, accomplish the following:
    (1) Check the piston pin code in accordance with Textron 
Lycoming SB No. 527B, dated October 8, 1996 in accordance with the 
following schedule:
    (i) For engines with 45 hours or more time in service (TIS) 
since the engine was shipped from Textron Lycoming, since overhaul, 
since installation of a cylinder kit, or since installation of a 
replacement piston pin, as applicable, accomplish within 5 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For engines with less than 45 hours TIS since the engine was 
shipped from Textron Lycoming, since overhaul, since installation of a 
cylinder kit, or since installation of a replacement piston pin, as 
applicable, accomplish prior to accumulating 50 hours TIS since the 
applicable date.
    (2) Remove from service piston pins, Part Number (P/N) LW-14077, 
code 17328, and replace with serviceable piston pins.
    (b) For all other affected engines, determine if a suspect piston 
pin, P/N LW-14077, code 17328 could have been installed, in accordance 
with Textron Lycoming Mandatory SB No. 527B, dated October 8, 1996, and 
accomplish the following:
    (1) If it is determined that suspect piston pins, P/N LW-14077, 
code 17328 could have been installed, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(2) of this AD.
    (2) If it is determined that suspect piston pins, P/N LW-14077, 
code 17328 could not have been installed, no further action is 
required.
    (3) If it cannot be determined if the suspect piston pins, P/N LW-
14077, code 17328 were installed, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(2) of this AD.
    (c) For purposes of this AD a serviceable piston pin is a piston 
pin, P/N LW-14077, with a piston pin code of ``BN'' or ``71238.'' 
Installation of a piston pin, P/N LW-14077, with a piston pin code of 
``17328'' is prohibited after the effective date of this AD.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used 
if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office. The 
request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Textron Lycoming Mandatory SB:

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             Document No.               Pages             Date          
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527B.................................      1-3  October 8, 1996.        
Attachment...........................      1-6  October 8, 1996.        
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    Total pages......................        9                          
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[[Page 309]]

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Textron Lycoming, 652 Oliver St., 
Williamsport, PA 17701; telephone (717) 327-7278, fax (717) 327-
7022. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 21, 1997.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 26, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-33399 Filed 12-31-96; 12:23 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U