[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53911-53913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14100]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1695; Project Identifier AD-2023-00783-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) model engines that have a certain 
connecting rod assemblies installed. This proposed AD was prompted by 
several reports of connecting rod failures, which resulted in 
uncontained engine failure and in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This 
proposed AD would require repetitive oil inspections for bronze metal 
particulates and, if found, additional inspections of the connecting 
rod bushings for damage, proper fit, movement, and wear, and 
replacement if necessary. As terminating action to the connecting rod 
bushing inspections, this proposed AD would require replacement of the 
connecting rod bushings with parts eligible for installation. The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1695; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference

     For service information, contact Lycoming Engines, 652 
Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: (800) 258-3279; website: 
lycoming.com/contact/knowledge-base/publications.
     You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Delisio, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
(516) 228-7321; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1695; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-00783-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to James 
Delisio, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, GA 30337. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA received five reports of uncontained engine failures and 
IFSDs due to failed connecting rods on various models of Lycoming 
reciprocating engines that were overhauled or repaired using any 
replacement part listed in Table 2 of Lycoming Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. 632B, dated August 4, 2017 (MSB 632B), which was 
shipped from Lycoming during the dates listed in Table 2 of MSB 632B. 
As a result, the FAA issued AD 2017-16-11, Amendment 39-18988 (82 FR 
37296, August 10, 2017) (AD 2017-16-11), which required an inspection 
of connecting rods and replacement of affected connecting rod small end 
bushings.
    Since the FAA issued AD 2017-16-11, a manufacturer investigation 
determined that affected connecting rod small end bushings may be 
installed on

[[Page 53912]]

additional populations of Lycoming engines. The manufacturer also 
determined that degradation of the connecting rod small end bushings is 
detectable during oil change inspections. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in connecting rod failure with consequent 
uncontained engine failure, total engine power loss, IFSD, and possible 
loss of the airplane.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Lycoming MSB No. 630A, dated June 13, 2017, which 
specifies procedures for inspection of the connecting rod bushings for 
damage, proper fit, movement, and wear. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require repetitive oil inspections for 
bronze metal particulates and, if found, additional inspections of the 
connecting rod bushings for damage (e.g. deterioration, missing metal), 
proper fit, movement, and wear, and replacement if necessary. As 
terminating action to the connecting rod bushing inspections, this 
proposed AD would require replacement of the connecting rod bushings 
with parts eligible for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 16,000 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Inspect oil...........................  2 work-hours x $85 per               $65            $235      $3,760,000
                                         hour = $170.
Inspect connecting rod bushings.......  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85       1,360,000
                                         hour = $85.
Replace connecting rod bushings (per    4.5 work-hours x $85 per             380             762      12,192,000
 bushing).                               hour = $382.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

Lycoming Engines: Docket No. FAA-2024-1695; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00783-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 12, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) model engines 
that have an affected part and part number (P/N) installed and are 
assembled within the ship date range, as specified in Table 1 to 
paragraph (c) of this AD.

                 Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Affected P/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Ship date
                P/N                       Affected part         range
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LW-13923...........................  Connecting Rod Bushing  01/30/2009-
                                                              11/17/2015
LW-11750...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               11/19/2015
78030..............................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               03/31/2016
LW-19332...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               01/03/2016
LW-13865...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               02/14/2017
77450..............................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               02/14/2017
LW-13422...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               02/14/2017
LW-13937...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               02/14/2017

[[Page 53913]]

 
LW-15288...........................  Connecting Rod          01/30/2009-
                                      Assembly.               02/14/2017
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    Note 1 to paragraph (c): The affected parts are known to be 
installed on Lycoming Model AEIO-320 series, AEIO-360 series, AEIO-
390 series, AEIO-540 series, AEIO-580-B1A, AIO-320 series, AIO-360 
series, HIO-360 series, HIO-390-A1A, HIO-540-A1A, HO-360 series, IO-
320 series, IO-360 series, IO-390 series, IO-540 series, IVO-360-
A1A, IVO-540-A1A, LHIO-360 series, LIO-320 series, LIO-360 series, 
LO-360 series, LTIO-540 series, LTO-360 series, O-233-A1, O-235 
series, O-320 series, O-340 series, O-360 series, O-435 series, O-
540 series, SO-580 series, TEO-540 series, TIGO-541 series, TIO-360 
series, TIO-540 series, TIO-541 series, TIVO-540-A2A, TO-360 series, 
TVO-435 series, TVO-540-A1A, VO-360 series, VO-435 series, VO-540 
series, and VSO-580-A1A engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8500, Engine 
(Reciprocating).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several reports of connecting rod 
failures resulting in uncontained engine failure and in-flight 
shutdowns (IFSDs). The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent connecting 
rod failure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
engine failure, an IFSD, and loss of control of the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next oil change or within 4 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at 
every oil change until the bushing replacement required by either 
paragraph (g)(3) or (4) of this AD is done, perform a visual 
inspection of the engine oil filter, oil pressure screen, and oil 
suction screen (depending on the engine configuration) for bronze 
metal particulates. The actions required by this paragraph may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) 
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 
CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
    Note 2 to paragraph (g)(1): Guidance for engine oil filter, oil 
pressure screen, and oil suction screen inspection instructions and 
identification of metallic solids may be found in Lycoming Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 480F, dated May 25, 2017 (MSB 480F).
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any bronze metal particulates are found and the source is 
identified as the connecting rod bushings, before further flight, 
inspect all affected connecting rod bushings for damage (e.g. 
deterioration, missing metal), proper fit, movement, and wear in 
accordance with ``Connecting Rod Bushing Inspection,'' of Lycoming 
MSB 630A, dated June 13, 2017.
    Note 3 to paragraph (g)(2): Guidance for identifying the source 
of metallic contamination may be found in Table 3 of MSB 480F.
    (3) If the connecting rod bushings fail any inspection required 
by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
connecting rod bushings with parts eligible for installation. This 
terminates the repetitive inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD.
    (4) At the next engine overhaul, replace the connecting rod 
bushings with parts eligible for installation. This terminates the 
repetitive inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

 (h) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation'' 
is any connecting rod bushing having P/N 01K28983.

 (i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date 
of this AD using MSB 480F.

 (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, East Certification Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the branch office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

 (k) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Delisio, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (516) 228-7321; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in 
paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.

 (l) 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 Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 630A, dated 
June 13, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: 
(800) 258-3279; website: lycoming.com/contact/knowledge-base/publications.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on June 21, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14100 Filed 6-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P