[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5905-5906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01281]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0540; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-10-AD; 
Amendment 39-18074; AD 2015-02-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines 
(Type Certificate previously held by Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO 
Corporation)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
serial number (S/N) Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. This AD was 
prompted by propeller governor shaft set screws coming loose due to 
improper installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent the propeller 
governor shaft set screw from coming loose, causing damage to the 
engine and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective March 11, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 11, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: 
800-258-3279; fax: 570-327-7101; Internet: www.lycoming.com/Lycoming/SUPPORT/TechnicalPublications/ServiceBulletins.aspx. You may view this 
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0540; 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain S/N Lycoming 
Engines reciprocating engines. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 11, 2014 (79 FR 54218). The NPRM was prompted by 
events of propeller governor shaft set screws coming loose due to 
improper installation. If the set screws come loose, the engine may 
lose oil resulting in damage to the engine and damage to the airplane. 
The NPRM proposed to require application of Loctite 290, or equivalent, 
to the threads of the propeller governor shaft set screw at each 
installation of the set screw in addition to the peening of crankcase 
hole threads. We are issuing this AD to prevent the propeller governor 
shaft set screw from coming loose, causing damage to the engine and 
damage to the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54218, September 
11, 2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
    We did however; find that we directed the use of LocTite 290, a 
commercial product by brand name. We changed the AD to remove the 
requirement to use any particular brand like LocTite 290, from this AD.

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Lycoming Engines Service Instruction No. 1343B, dated 
June 15, 2007. The service instruction describes procedures for 
application of sealant for the propeller governor shaft set screw and 
the peening of crankcase hole threads. You can find this information at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0540.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 2,330 engines installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
0.1 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Prorated parts life will cost about $1 per engine. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to 
be $22,135.

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

[[Page 5906]]

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

    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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-02-07 Lycoming Engines (Type Certificate previously held by 
Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation): Amendment 39-18074; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0540; Directorate Identifier 2014-NE-10-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 11, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Lycoming Engines wide deck aerobatic 
reciprocating engines that have either an ``A'' or an ``E'' at the 
end of the serial number (e.g., L-12345-51A, or L-12345-51E) and are 
equipped with a front-mounted propeller governor. Affected 
reciprocating engine models include, but are not limited to Lycoming 
Engines AEIO-320-D1B; AEIO-360-A1E, -A1E6, -B1H, -H1B; AEIO-540-
D4A5, -D4B5, -D4D5, -L1B5, -L1B5D, -L1D5; AEIO-580-B1A; and IO-540-
K1K5 (with aerobatic kit installed).

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by propeller governor shaft set screws 
coming loose due to improper installation. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the propeller governor shaft set screw from coming loose, 
causing damage to the engine and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    After the effective date of this AD, at each installation of the 
propeller governor shaft set screw, secure the set screw in place in 
accordance with the instructions of Lycoming Engines Service 
Instruction No. 1343B, dated June 15, 2007. Use a thread-locking, 
anaerobic, single-component sealing compound that meets military 
specification Mil-S-46163A, Type III, Grade R, and peen the 
crankcase hole threads.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(g) 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].

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Lycoming Engines Service Instruction No. 1343B, dated June 
15, 2007.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Lycoming Engines service information identified in this 
AD, contact Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 
17701; phone: 800-258-3279; fax: 570-327-7101; Internet: http://www.lycoming.com/Lycoming/SUPPORT/TechnicalPublications/ServiceInstructions.aspx.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 13, 2015.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01281 Filed 2-3-15; 8:45 am]
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