[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40262-40264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19326]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-26-AD; Amendment 39-10085; AD 97-15-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Avco Lycoming and Textron Lycoming 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Avco Lycoming and Textron Lycoming reciprocating 
engines, that currently requires removal from service of defective 
piston pins, and replacement with serviceable parts. This amendment 
adds additional affected engine models that may have defective piston 
pins installed, and references a revised service bulletin. This 
amendment is prompted by the determination that additional engine 
models may have defective piston pins installed. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent piston pin failure, which could 
result in engine failure.

DATES: Effective August 12, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 12, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 26, 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. 97-ANE-26-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line.
    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, 
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: On December 26, 1996, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued airworthiness directive (AD) 97-01-03, 
Amendment 39-9874 (62 FR 307, January 3, 1997), to require removal from 
service of defective piston pins, and replacement with serviceable 
parts. That action was prompted by a report that a quantity of piston 
pins, marked with code 17328, were produced that did not meet 
manufacturing specifications. That condition, if not corrected, could 
result in piston pin failure, which could result in engine failure.
    On February 5, 1997, the FAA issued a correction to AD 97-01-03 (62 
FR 7671, February 20, 1997) that renumbered a misdesignated paragraph.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received a report from 
the manufacturer that additional engine models may have had defective 
piston pins installed.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron

[[Page 40263]]

Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 527C, dated April 18, 
1997, that adds additional affected engine models and lists serial 
numbers (S/Ns) of additional 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 this same type design, this AD 
supersedes AD 97-01-03 to require removal from service of defective 
piston pins, and replacement with serviceable parts. This AD adds 
additional affected engine models that may have defective piston pins 
installed, and references a revised service bulletin. 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 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 97-ANE-26-AD.'' 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-9874, (62 FR 
307, January 3, 1997), corrected (62 FR 7671, February 20, 1997), and 
by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-10085, to read as 
follows:

97-15-11 Avco Lycoming and Textron Lycoming: Amendment 39-10085. 
Docket 97-ANE-26-AD. Supersedes AD 97-01-03, Amendment 39-9874.

    Applicability: Avco Lycoming and Textron Lycoming O-320, IO-320, 
LIO-320, AIO-320, AEIO-320, O-360, LO-360, IO-360, LIO-360, VO-360, 
IVO-360, HO-360, HIO-360, LHIO-360, AIO-360, AEIO-360, TIO-360, TO-
360, LTO-360, LTIO-360, O-480, GO-480, IGO-480, GSO-480, IGSO-480, 
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, VO-540, IVO-540, TVO-540, TIVO-540, HIO-540, IGO-540, 
IGSO-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. 527C, dated April 18, 1997; 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 (e) 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) No action is required for engines that have been inspected 
in accordance with AD 97-01-03.
    (b) For engines that have not been inspected in accordance with 
AD 97-01-03, and with S/Ns listed in Textron Lycoming Mandatory SB 
No. 527C, dated April 18, 1997, accomplish the following:
    (1) Check the piston pin code in accordance with Textron 
Lycoming SB No. 527C, dated April 18, 1997 in accordance with the 
following schedule:

[[Page 40264]]

    (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.
    (c) For all other affected engines that have not been inspected 
in accordance with AD 97-01-03, determine if a suspect piston pin, 
P/N LW-14077, code 17328 could have been installed, in accordance 
with Textron Lycoming Mandatory SB No. 527C, dated April 18, 1997, 
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 (b)(1) 
and (b)(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 can not be determined if the suspect piston pins, P/N 
LW-14077, code 17328 were installed, accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) 
and (b)(2) of this AD.
    (d) For the purpose 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.
    (e) 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. Operators shall submit their requests 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.

    (f) 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.
    (g) 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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527C.................................      1-4  April 18, 1997.         
Attachment I.........................      1-6  April 18, 1997.         
Attachment II........................        1  April 18, 1997.         
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    Total............................       11                          
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    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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on August 12, 1997.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1997.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19326 Filed 7-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P