[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79051-79054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32467]


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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; 
Amendment 39-16894; AD 2011-26-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines, Fuel Injected 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain fuel injected reciprocating engines manufactured by 
Lycoming Engines. That AD currently requires inspection, replacement if 
necessary, and proper clamping of externally

[[Page 79052]]

mounted fuel injector fuel lines. That AD also states that it 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. 
This new AD requires the same actions. This AD was prompted by Lycoming 
Engines revising their Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) to add engine 
models requiring inspections. 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.

DATES: This AD is effective January 25, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 25, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, or go to 
www.lycoming.textron.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Engine Certification Office, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(781) 238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2008-14-07, Amendment 39-15602 (73 FR 39574, 
July 10, 2008). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2011 (76 FR 8661). 
That NPRM proposed to inspect, replace if necessary, and properly clamp 
externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. That AD also states that 
it 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Question

    One commenter asked why the AD requirements are only for Lycoming 
engines, and not also for Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) engines. 
The commenter inferred that we write ADs, just to make owners maintain 
their aircraft.
    In response, any AD made applicable to TCM engines with externally 
mounted fuel injector lines, would have to be written by the Atlanta 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), because that office has oversight 
of TCM. The Atlanta ACO has informed us that at this time, there is 
insufficient data to justify an AD for TCM engines with externally 
mounted fuel injector lines, however, they realize there may be 
justification for issuing a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin 
(SAIB), for TCM engines on this subject. They are looking into possibly 
issuing an SAIB.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 21,180 four-cylinder engines, 
21,449 six-cylinder engines, and 256 eight-cylinder engines installed 
on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
0.2 work-hour to inspect all lines on a four-cylinder engine, 0.5 work-
hour to inspect all lines on a six-cylinder engine, and 0.7 work-hour 
to inspect all lines on an eight-cylinder engine. We also estimate that 
the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. We do not anticipate any 
additional costs on U.S. operators, as the inspection would be done in 
conjunction with other work performed concurrently. We anticipate no 
parts to be required. Based on these figures, the total cost of the AD 
to U.S. operators for one inspection of the fleet is $1,286,875.

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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 79053]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2008-14-07, Amendment 39-15602 (73 FR 39574, July 10, 2008), and adding 
the following new AD:

2011-26-04 Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming Division, 
AVCO Corporation): Amendment 39-16894; Docket No. FAA-2007-0218; 
Directorate Identifier 92-ANE-56-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 25, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2008-14-07, Amendment 39-15602 (73 FR 
39574, July 10, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    (1) 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            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
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, -F1A, -J1A6D, -M1B, -
                                L2A, -M1A
IVO-360......................  -A1A
LIO-360......................  -C1E6, -M1A
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, -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
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Engine models in Table 1 of this AD 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.
    (3) This AD is not applicable to engines having internally 
mounted fuel injection lines, which are not accessible. Those engine 
models are not included in Table 1 of this AD.
    (4) This AD is not applicable to engines that have a Maintenance 
and Overhaul Manual with an Airworthiness Limitations Section that 
requires inspection of externally mounted fuel injector lines. Those 
engine models are not included in Table 1 of this AD.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by Lycoming Engines revising their 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) to add engine models requiring 
inspection. 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.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Engines That Have Had Initial Inspections

    For engines that have had initial inspections 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; Lycoming Engines 
MSB No. 342E, dated May 18, 2004, or Lycoming Engines MSB 342F, 
dated June 4, 2010, inspect in accordance with paragraph (h) of this 
AD.

(g) Engines That Have Not Had Initial Inspections

    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; Lycoming Engines MSB No. 342E, dated May 18, 2004, or Lycoming 
Engines MSB 342F, dated June 4, 2010, 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 (i) 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 
(i) of this AD within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD.

(h) Repetitive Inspections

    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

[[Page 79054]]

been disconnected, moved, or loosened, in accordance with paragraph 
(i) of this AD.

(i) Inspection Criteria

    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. 342F, dated June 4, 2010.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. AMOCs approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2008-14-07, Amendment 39-15602, are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding requirements in paragraph (h) of this 
AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, 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; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. NE-07-49, 
dated September 20, 2007, is not mandatory, but has additional 
information on this subject.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use Lycoming Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
342F, dated June 4, 2010, to perform the actions required by this 
AD.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (3) Contact Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, 
PA 17701, or go to www.lycoming.textron.com for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England 
Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 5, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32467 Filed 12-20-11; 8:45 am]
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