[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5167-5168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1130]


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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; 
Amendment 39-16909; AD 71-13-01R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; rescission.

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SUMMARY: We are rescinding an airworthiness directive (AD) for Lycoming 
Engines model TIO-540-A series reciprocating engines. The existing AD, 
AD 71-13-01, was prompted by 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, which we have incorporated by reference into AD 2008-14-07. The 
FAA determined, therefore, that this requirement is duplicated by 
another AD.

DATES: This AD is effective March 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: (570) 323-
6181; fax: (570) 327-7101; Web site: www.lycoming.com. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 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 rescind an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2011 (76 FR 
42609). That NPRM proposed to rescind AD 71-13-01 (Amendment number is 
39-1231; 36 FR 11512-03, June 15, 1971) for Lycoming Engines model TIO-
540-A series reciprocating engines. 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 (Amendment number is 39-1231; 36 FR 
11512-03, June 15, 1971), 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 that 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, into AD 2008-14-07 (73 FR 39574, July 10, 
2008). We will supersede AD 2008-14-07 to incorporate by reference 
Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F, dated June 4, 2010.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 42609, July 19, 
2011).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require rescinding the AD as proposed.

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

[[Page 5168]]

products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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:

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 rescinding airworthiness directive 
(AD) 71-13-01, Amendment 39-1231:

71-13-01R1 Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming Division, 
AVCO Corporation): Amendment 39-16909; Docket No. FAA-2011-0691; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-26-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 8, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD rescinds AD 71-13-01, Amendment 39-1231.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Related Information

    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].

(e) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 29, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1130 Filed 2-1-12; 8:45 am]
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