67 FR 47 pgs. 10859-10862 - Airworthiness Directives; Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation Fuel Injected Reciprocating Engines
Type: PRORULEVolume: 67Number: 47Pages: 10859 - 10862
Docket number: [Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-5691 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation Fuel Injected Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engines, that currently requires inspection, and replacement if necessary, of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. Since the issuance of the existing AD, additional engine series have been identified with the potential for the same problem and necessitate being included in the list of Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engine series, to the AD's applicability. This proposal is prompted by the need to ensure that the additional Textron Lycoming fuel injected engine series listed in this proposed rule receive the same inspections as series covered by the current AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines allowing fuel to spray into the engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire.
DATES:
Comments must be received by May 10, 2002.
ADDRESSES:
Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: " 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov ". Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Textron Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, telephone: (570) 323-6181. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Norman Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; telephone: (516) 256-7537, fax: (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 92-ANE-56-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRM's
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
On June 5, 1992, the FAA issued a priority letter AD 92-12-10, applicable only to Textron Lycoming Series TIO-540-S1AD engines, which requires inspecting, and if necessary, replacing the externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. The FAA subsequently determined that similar externally mounted fuel injector fuel line configurations existed on other Textron Lycoming fuel injected engines. Since an unsafe condition was identified that was likely to exist or develop on other Textron Lycoming engines of the same type design, the FAA issued AD 93-02-05, Amendment 39-8487 (58 FR 26056, dated April 30, 1993), to require inspecting, and if necessary replacing, the fuel injector fuel lines. That action was prompted by reports of failures of fuel injector fuel lines that were missing support clamps. The requirements of that AD were intended to prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines allowing fuel to spray into the engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire.
Since that AD was issued, the FAA has identified models AEIO-320, AIO-320, IO-320, LIO-320, AEIO-360, AIO-360, HIO-360, IO-360, IVO-360, LIO-360, TIO-360, IGO-480, AEIO-540, IGO-540, IO-540, IVO-540, LTIO-540, TIO-540, TIVO-540, and IO-720 series engines that require inspecting, and if necessary replacing externally mounted fuel lines.
Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001, that describes procedures for inspecting, and if necessary replacing the fuel injector fuel lines. Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D supersedes Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342C, MSB No. 342B, Supplement No. 1 to MSB 342B, MSB 342A, and MSB 342.
Proposed Actions
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other Textron Lycoming engines of this same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 93-02-05 to add additional Textron Lycoming engine models to the applicability of the AD. The actions would be required to be done in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Economic Analysis
There are about 4,160 engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,496 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take about 1 work hour to inspect and replace all lines on a four-cylinder engine, 1.5 work hours to inspect and replace all lines on a six-cylinder engine, and 2 hours to inspect and replace all lines on an eight-cylinder engine, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $440.00 for a four-cylinder engine, $660.00 for a six-cylinder engine, and $880.00 for an eight-cylinder engine. Based on these figures, the total cost per airplane of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated as follows:
• $500.00 for a four-cylinder engine.
• $750.00 for a six-cylinder engine.
• $1000.00 for an eight-cylinder engine.
Regulatory Analysis
This proposal does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this proposal.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-8487 (58 26056, April 30, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, to read as follows:
Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD. Supersedes AD 93-02-05, Amendment 39-8487.
Applicability
Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engines incorporating externally mounted fuel injection lines as listed in the following Table 1:
| 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, -B4A, -H1A, -H1B |
| AIO-360 -A1A, -A1B, -B1B | |
| HIO-360 | -A1A, -A1B, -B1A, -C1A, -C1B, -D1A, -E1AD, E1BD, -F1AD |
| 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, -C2G6, -J1A6D, -L2A, -M1A, |
| IVO-360 | -A1A |
| LIO-360 | -C1E6 |
| 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, -B1A5, -B1C5, -C1B5, -C4B5, -C4D5D, -D4A5, -E1A5, -E1B5, -G1A5, -G1B5, -G1C5, -G1D5, -G1E5, -G1F5, -J4A5, -V4A5D, -K1A5, -KIA5D, -KIB5, -KIC5, -KID5, -K1E5, -K1E5D, -KIF5, -K1J5, -KIF5D, -K1G5, -K1G5D, -K1H5, -K1J5D, -K1K5, -K1E5, -K1E5D, -K1F5, -K1J5, -L1C5, -M1A5, -M1B5D, -N1A5, -P1A5, -R1A5, -S1A5, -T4A5D, -T4B5, -T4B5D, -T4C5D, -V4A5, -V4A5D, -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 |
Engine models in Table 1 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 aircraft.
Note 1:
This AD is applicable to engines with an "I" in the prefix of the model designation that have externally mounted fuel injection lines. This AD is not applicable to engines having internally mounted fuel injection lines, which are not accessible.
Note 2:
This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance
Required as indicated, unless already done.
To prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines allowing fuel to spray into the engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire, do the following:
Engines That Have Been Previously Inspected
(a) For engines that have been inspected in accordance with Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 342, Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342A, Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342B, Supplement No. 1 to MSB No. 342B, and Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342C, inspect in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD.
Engines That Have Not Been Inspected
(b) For engines that have not had initial inspections previously done in accordance with Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342, Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342A, Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342B, Supplement No. 1 to MSB No. 342B, and Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342C, inspect in accordance with Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001 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 the last overhaul, inspect within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, and replace as necessary, the fuel injector fuel lines and clamps between the fuel manifold and the fuel injector nozzles that do not meet all conditions specified in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001.
(2) For all other engines, inspect within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, and replace as necessary, the fuel injector fuel lines and clamps between the fuel manifold and the fuel injector nozzles that do not meet all conditions specified in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001.
Repetitive Inspections
(c) Thereafter, at each annual inspection, at each 100-hour inspection, at each engine overhaul, and after any maintenance has been done on the engine where the fuel injector fuel lines have been disconnected, moved, or loosened, inspect the fuel injector fuel lines and clamps and replace as necessary any fuel injector fuel line and clamp that does not meet all conditions specified in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.
Note 3:
Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be done.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 1, 2002.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-5691 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]
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