[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 2, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 87-90]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25456]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0218; Directorate Identifier 92-ANE-56-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines, Fuel Injected 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for certain fuel injected reciprocating engines 
manufactured by Lycoming Engines. That AD currently requires 
inspection, and replacement if necessary, of externally mounted fuel 
injector fuel lines. This proposed AD would require the same actions 
but would add additional engine models, would clarify certain 
compliance time wording, and would exempt engines that have a 
Maintenance and Overhaul Manual with an Airworthiness Limitations 
Section that requires inspection, and replacement if necessary, of 
externally mounted fuel injector lines. This proposed AD results from 
Lycoming Engines revising their Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) to add 
new engine models requiring inspection, and from the need to clarify a 
repetitive inspection compliance time. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines that would allow fuel 
to spray into the engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 3, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Contact Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 
17701, or go to http://www.lycoming.textron.com, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

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; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (516) 228-7337; fax (516) 794-
5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0218; Directorate 
Identifier 92-ANE-56-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD 
in light 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who 
sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy 
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477-78).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 by superseding AD 2002-26-
01, Amendment 39-12986 (67 FR 78965, December 27, 2002). That AD 
requires inspection, and replacement if necessary, of externally 
mounted fuel injector fuel lines. That AD was the result of the need to 
ensure that the additional Textron Lycoming fuel injected engine series 
listed in that final rule, receive the same inspections as series 
covered by the two previous ADs that were superseded by AD 2002-26-01. 
That condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the fuel 
injector fuel lines allowing fuel to spray into the engine compartment, 
resulting in an engine fire.

Actions Since AD 2002-26-01 Was Issued

    Since AD 2002-26-01 was issued, Lycoming Engines has added new 
engine models to the list of engines requiring inspection, and 
replacement if necessary, of externally mounted fuel injector fuel 
lines. They have also added other new engines that are exempt from this 
AD, because they have a Maintenance and Overhaul Manual with an 
Airworthiness Limitations Section that requires inspection, and 
replacement if necessary, of externally mounted fuel injector lines. 
These engines are not listed in the revised Lycoming Engines MSB. Also, 
since AD 2002-26-01 was issued, we found that we need to clarify the 
repetitive inspection compliance time from ``at each 100-hour 
inspection'' to ``at intervals of 100 hours time-in-service (not to 
exceed 110 hours)'', to include engines that are not subject to 100-
hour inspections.

[[Page 88]]

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Lycoming 
Engines MSB No. 342E, dated May 18, 2004, which describes procedures 
for inspecting, and if necessary replacing the fuel injector fuel 
lines. That MSB supersedes Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, MSB No. 342C, 
MSB No. 342B, Supplement No. 1 to MSB 342B, MSB 342A, and MSB 342.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. For that reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would supersede AD 2002-26-01 to add additional Lycoming Engines 
engine models to the applicability of the AD, and to clarify the 
repetitive inspect compliance time. The proposed AD would require that 
you do the inspections using the service information described 
previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that 17,740 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
about 1 work-hour to inspect and replace all lines on a four-cylinder 
engine, 1.5 work-hours to inspect and replace all lines on a six-
cylinder engine, and 2 work-hours to inspect and replace all lines on 
an eight-cylinder engine, and that the average labor rate is $80 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost about $484 for a four-cylinder 
engine, $726 for a six-cylinder engine, and $968 for an eight-cylinder 
engine. Based on these figures, the total cost per airplane of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated as follows:
     $564 for a four-cylinder engine.
     $846 for a six-cylinder engine.
     $1,128 for an eight-cylinder engine.

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.

Docket Number Change

    We are transferring the docket for this AD to the Federal Docket 
Management System as part of our on-going docket management 
consolidation efforts. The new Docket No. is FAA-2007-0218. The old 
Docket No. became the Directorate Identifier, which is 92-ANE-56-AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the 
Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-12986 (67 FR 
78965, December 27, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO 
Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2007-0218; Directorate Identifier 92-
ANE-56-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by March 3, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-26-01, Amendment 39-12986.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to fuel injected reciprocating engines 
manufactured by Lycoming Engines, that incorporate externally 
mounted fuel injection lines (engines with an ``I'' in the prefix of 
the engine model designation) as listed in the following Table 1:

                                        Table 1.--Engine Models Affected
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               Engine                                                    Model
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AEIO-320............................  -D1B, -D2B, -E1B, -E2B
AIO-320.............................  -A1B, -BIB, -C1B
IO-320..............................  -B1A, -B1C, -C1A, -D1A, -D1B, -E1A, -E1B, -E2A, -E2B
LIO-320.............................  -B1A, -C1A
AEIO-360............................  -A1A, -A1B, -A1B6, -A1D, -A1E, -A1E6, -B1F, -B2F, -B1G6, -B1H, -B4A, -H1A,
                                       -H1B
AIO-360.............................  -A1A, -A1B, -B1B
HIO-360.............................  -A1A, -A1B, -B1A, -C1A, -C1B, -D1A, -E1AD, -E1BD, -F1AD, -G1A

[[Page 89]]

 
IO-360..............................  -A1A, -A1B, -A1B6, -A1B6D, -A1C, -A1D, -A1D6, -A2A, -A2B, -A3B6, -A3B6D, -
                                       B1B, -B1D, -B1E, -B1F, -B1G6, -B2F, -B2F6, -B4A, -C1A, -C1B, -C1C, -C1C6,
                                       -C1D6, -C1E6, -C1F, -C1G6, -C2G6, -F1A, -J1A6D, -M1B, -L2A, -M1A
IVO-360.............................  -A1A
LIO-360.............................  -C1E6
TIO-360.............................  -A1B, -C1A6D
IGO-480.............................  -A1B6
AEIO-540............................  -D4A5, -D4B5, -D4D5, -L1B5, -L1B5D, -L1D5
IGO-540.............................  -B1A, -B1C
IO-540..............................  -A1A5, -AA1A5, -AA1B5, -AB1A5, -AC1A5, -AE1A5, -B1A5, -B1C5, -C1B5, -C4B5,
                                       -C4D5D, -D4A5, -E1A5, -E1B5, -G1A5, -G1B5, -G1C5, -G1D5, -G1E5, -G1F5, -
                                       J4A5, -V4A5D, -K1A5, -K1A5D, -K1B5, -K1C5, -K1D5, -K1E5, -K1E5D, -K1F5,
                                       K1H5, -K1J5, -K1F5D, -K1G5, -K1G5D, -K1H5, -K1J5D, -K1K5, -K1E5, -K1E5D,
                                       K1F5, -K1J5, -L1C5, -M1A5, -M1B5D, -M1C5, -N1A5, -P1A5, -R1A5, -S1A5, -
                                       T4A5D, -T4B5, -T4B5D, -T4C5D, -V4A5, -V4A5D, -W1A5, -W1A5D, -W3A5D
IVO-540.............................  -A1A
LTIO-540............................  -F2BD, -J2B, -J2BD, -N2BD, -R2AD, -U2A, -V2AD, -W2A
TIO-540.............................  -A1A, -A1B, -A2A, -A2B, -A2C, AE1A5, -AE2A, -AH1A, -AA1AD, -AF1A, -AF1B, -
                                       AG1A, -AB1AD, -AB1BD, -AH1A, -AJ1A, -AK1A, -C1A, -E1A, -G1A, -F2BD, -J2B,
                                       -J2BD, -N2BD, -R2AD, -S1AD, -U2A, -V2AD, -W2A
TIVO-540............................  -A2A
IO-720..............................  -A1A, -A1B, -D1B, -D1BD, -D1C, -D1CD, -B1B, -B1BD, -C1B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engine models in Table 1 are installed on, but not limited to Piper 
PA-24 Comanche, PA-30 and PA-39 Twin Comanche, PA-28 Arrow, and PA-
23 Aztec; Beech 23 Musketeer; Mooney 20, and Cessna 177 Cardinal 
airplanes.

    (d) This AD is not applicable to engines having internally 
mounted fuel injection lines, which are not accessible.
    (e) This AD is not applicable to engines that have a Maintenance 
and Overhaul Manual with an Airworthiness Limitations Section that 
requires inspection, and replacement if necessary, of externally 
mounted fuel injector lines.

Unsafe Condition

    (f) This AD results from Lycoming Engines revising their 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) to add new engine models requiring 
inspection, and from the need to clarify a repetitive inspection 
compliance time. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
fuel injector fuel lines that would allow fuel to spray into the 
engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire.

Compliance

    (g) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Engines That Have Had Initial Inspections

    (h) For engines that have had initial inspections in accordance 
with Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 342, 
dated March 24, 1972; Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342A, dated May 26, 
1992 Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342B, dated October 22, 1993; 
Supplement No. 1 to MSB No. 342B, dated April 27, 1999; Textron 
Lycoming MSB No. 342C, dated April 28, 2000; Textron Lycoming MSB 
No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001, and Lycoming Engines MSB No. 342E, 
dated May 18, 2004, inspect in accordance with paragraph (j) of this 
AD.

Engines That Have Not Had Initial Inspections

    (i) For engines that have not had initial inspections previously 
done in accordance with Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342, dated March 
24, 1972; Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342A, dated May 26, 1992; Textron 
Lycoming MSB No. 342B, dated October 22, 1993; Supplement No. 1 to 
MSB No. 342B, dated April 27, 1999; Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342C, 
dated April 28, 2000; Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, dated July 10, 
2001; or Lycoming Engines MSD No. 342E, dated May 18, 2004, inspect 
as follows:
    (1) For engines that have not yet had any fuel line maintenance 
done, or have not had any fuel line maintenance done since new or 
since the last overhaul, inspect in accordance with paragraph (k) of 
this AD within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD.
    (2) For all other engines, inspect in accordance with paragraph 
(k) of this AD within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD.

Repetitive Inspections

    (j) Thereafter, inspect at intervals of 100 hours TIS (not to 
exceed 110 hours), at each engine overhaul, and after any 
maintenance has been done on the engine where any clamp (or clamps) 
on a fuel injector line (or lines) has been disconnected, moved, or 
loosened, inspect in accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD.

Inspection Criteria

    (k) Inspect the fuel injector fuel lines and clamps between the 
fuel manifold and the fuel injector nozzles and replace as necessary 
any fuel injector fuel line and clamp that does not meet all 
conditions specified in Lycoming Engines MSB No. 342E, dated May 18, 
2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (l) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for 
this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (m) FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. NE-07-49, 
dated September 20, 2007, is not mandatory, but has additional 
information on this subject.
    (n) Contact Norm Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (516)

[[Page 90]]

228-7337; fax (516) 794-5531, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 21, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-25456 Filed 12-31-07; 8:45 am]
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