[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48571-48573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24184]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-50-AD; Amendment 39-10728; AD 98-18-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Lycoming Fuel Injected 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating 
engines with certain Crane/Lear Romec ``AN'' rotary fuel pumps 
installed. This action requires initial and repetitive torque check 
inspections of pump relief valve attaching screws. In addition, if the 
torque remains within acceptable values after two inspections, the 
repetitive torque check inspections may be terminated. This amendment 
is prompted by reports of inflight engine fires caused by leaking 
rotary fuel pumps. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent rotary fuel pump leaks, which could result in an engine 
failure, engine fire, and damage to or loss of the aircraft.

DATES: Effective September 28, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 28, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-ANE-50-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) 327-7080, fax (717) 327-7100. This information may be examined at 
the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 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: Ray O'Neill, Aerospace Engineer, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 10 Fifth St., 3rd Floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; 
telephone (516) 256-7505, fax (516) 568-2716.


[[Page 48572]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
has received reports of three engine fires and six other fuel leakage 
events on certain Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engines 
with Crane/Lear Romec ``AN'' rotary fuel pumps, model series RG9080, 
RG9570, and RG17980, installed. The investigations revealed that the 
rotary fuel pumps were leaking past the fuel pump relief valve gasket. 
The fuel pump valve cover screws had become loose, possibly due to 
gasket compression set (permanent deformation) or screw yield. If the 
torque loosens due to gasket compression set, once the torque is reset, 
it may not loosen again. Therefore, this AD allows for termination of 
repetitive torque checks if the torque meets specifications during two 
follow-up checks after being reset. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in rotary fuel pump leaks, which could result in an engine 
failure, engine fire, and damage to or loss of the aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron 
Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. 529, dated December 1, 1997, that 
describes procedures for torque check inspections of pump relief valve 
attaching screws.
    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 rotary fuel pump leaks. This AD requires 
initial and repetitive torque check inspections of pump relief valve 
attaching screws. In addition, if the torque remains within acceptable 
values after two inspections, the repetitive torque check inspections 
may be terminated. The manufacturer is developing a modification to the 
rotary fuel pump with a more resilient gasket material that does not 
exhibit these permanent set characteristics, so future rulemaking may 
be forthcoming requiring this modification as a terminating action to 
the repetitive inspections required if the torque does not remain 
within the values stated by the SB. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the 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-50-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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-18-12-AD  Textron Lycoming: Amendment 39-10728. Docket 97-ANE-50-
AD.

    Applicability: Textron Lycoming IO-320, LIO-320, IO-360, HIO-
360, TIO-360, LTIO-360, GO-435, GO-480, IGO-480-A1B6, IO-540, IGO-
540, AEIO-540, HIO-540, TIO-540, LTIO-540, TIGO-541, IO-720, and 
TIO-720 fuel injected reciprocating engines, with Crane/Lear Romec 
``AN'' rotary fuel pump model series, RG9080, RG9570, and RG17980 
installed. These engines are installed on but not limited to fuel 
injected, reciprocating engine powered aircraft manufactured by 
Cessna, The New Piper, Inc., Mooney, Raytheon (Beech), Bellanca, 
Champion, Partenavia, Rockwell, Schweizer, Enstrom, Aerospatiale 
(SOCATA), Maule, Aero Commander, Helio, Hiller, and Pacific 
Aerospace Corp.

    Note 1: 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 (b) 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 rotary fuel pump leaks, which could result in an 
engine failure, engine fire, and damage to or loss of the aircraft, 
accomplish the following:

[[Page 48573]]

    (a) Perform initial and repetitive torque check inspections of 
pump relief valve attaching screws in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 529, dated December 1, 1997, as follows:
    (1) Within 10 hours time in service (TIS), or 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform the 
initial torque check inspection. If the torque does not meet the 
specifications in Textron Lycoming SB No. 529, dated December 1, 
1997, tighten screws to the required torque in accordance with that 
SB.
    (2) Perform a follow-up torque check inspection after 
accumulating 50 hours TIS, or 6 months since the initial torque 
check inspection, whichever occurs first. If the torque does not 
meet the specification in Textron Lycoming SB No. 529, dated 
December 1, 1997, during this follow-up inspection, tighten screws 
to the required torque in accordance with that SB.
    (3) Continue the repetitive torque check inspections required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD until:
    (i) The accumulation of 100 hours TIS since the initial 
inspection with the torque remaining within the SB specification for 
50 hours TIS; or
    (ii) The torque meets the SB specification during the initial 
inspection and a subsequent inspection taking place at least 50 
hours TIS later.
    (b) 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 Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Textron Lycoming SB:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Document No.               Pages              Date           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
529...............................       1-6  December 1, 1997.         
Total Pages: 6.                                                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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) 327-7080, fax (717) 327-7100. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the 
Regional 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 28, 1998.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1998.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24184 Filed 9-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U