[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42609-42610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18170]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0691; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Model TIO 540-A Series 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); rescission.

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SUMMARY: We propose to rescind an airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Lycoming Engines model TIO 540-A series reciprocating engines. The 
existing AD, AD 71-13-01 (Amendment 39-1231) resulted from a report of 
a failed fuel injector tube assembly.
    Since we issued AD 71-13-01, we became aware that Lycoming Engines 
no longer supports Service Bulletin (SB) No. 335A, which was 
incorporated by reference in AD 71-13-01. The intent of the 
requirements of that SB is now in Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 
342F. This proposal to rescind AD 71-13-01 allows the public the 
opportunity to comment on the FAA's determination of the duplication of 
requirements in another AD, before we rescind the engine-level AD.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 2, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     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 0590-0001.
     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.

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 (phone: 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.

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; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD rescission. Send your comments to an 
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2011-0691; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-26-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD rescission. We will consider all comments received by the 
closing date and may amend this proposed AD rescission based on 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 rescission. 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

[[Page 42610]]

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).

Discussion

    In June of 1971, the FAA Engine & Propeller Directorate issued AD 
71-13-01. That AD requires a one-time visual inspection of external 
fuel injector lines on Lycoming Engines model TIO 540-A series 
reciprocating engines for fuel stains, cracks, dents, and bend radii 
under \5/8\ inch and, if necessary, removal from service and 
replacement with serviceable parts. That AD also requires installing if 
necessary, fuel injector line support clamps in accordance with 
Lycoming Engines SB No. 335 or later version of that SB.
    Since we issued AD 71-13-01, Lycoming Engines has informed us that 
it no longer supports SB No. 335A. They also pointed out that Lycoming 
Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F, dated June 4, 2010, or the Instructions 
for Continued Airworthiness section of the Engine Overhaul Manual is 
the service information the owners, operators, and certificated repair 
facilities must use for initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
external fuel lines, on all affected Lycoming Engines reciprocating 
engines.
    We incorporated by reference Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 
342E, dated May 18, 2004, in AD 2008-14-07 (73 FR 39574, July 10, 
2008). We are in the process of issuing a supersedure to that AD, which 
will incorporate by reference Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F, 
dated June 4, 2010.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD Rescission

    We are proposing this AD rescission of AD 71-13-01 because we 
evaluated all information and determined that the requirements of that 
AD are no longer supported by Lycoming Engines SB No. 335A, but are 
supported by Mandatory SB No. 342E, Mandatory SB 342F, and the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness section of the Engine Overhaul 
Manual.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD rescission would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 
rescission 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 this proposed rescission 
of a regulation:
    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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD rescission and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 rescinding airworthiness directive 
(AD) 71-13-01, Amendment 39-1231:

Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO 
Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2011-0691; Directorate Identifier 2011-
NE-26-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 2, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD rescinds AD 71-13-01.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Lycoming Engines model TIO 540-A series 
reciprocating engines, with serial numbers lower than 1931-61.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 13, 2011.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-18170 Filed 7-18-11; 8:45 am]
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