DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0788; Product Identifier 2017-NE-27-AD; Amendment
39-18988; AD 2017-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
models of Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. This AD requires an
inspection of connecting rods and replacement of affected connecting
rod small end bushings. This AD was prompted by several reports of
connecting rod failures resulting in uncontained engine failure and in-
flight shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 15, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 15,
2017.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 25, 2017.
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 http://www.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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, 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 and Propeller Standards Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0788.
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-2017-0788;
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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman Perenson, Aerospace Engineer,
New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: 516-228-7337; fax: 516-794-5531; email: norman.perenson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have received 5 reports of uncontained engine failures and IFSDs
due to failed connecting rods on various models of Lycoming Engines
reciprocating engines listed in Table 1 of Lycoming Engines Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 632B, dated August 4, 2017, that were
overhauled or repaired using any replacement part listed in Table 2 of
Lycoming Engines MSB No. 632B, dated August 4, 2017,
which was shipped from Lycoming Engines during the dates listed in
Table 2 of Lycoming Engines MSB No. 632B, dated August 4, 2017. This AD
requires accomplishing the instructions in Lycoming Engines MSB No.
632B, dated August 4, 2017, except for the instruction to complete the
online survey as specified in the MSB. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in uncontained engine failure, total engine
power loss, IFSD, and possible loss of the airplane. We are issuing
this AD to prevent connecting rod failure.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Lycoming Engines Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 632B, dated
August 4, 2017. The MSB describes procedures for inspecting connecting
rods and replacing connecting rod small end bushings. 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 the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information''.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
Lycoming Engines MSB No. 632B, dated August 4, 2017 requires you to
complete an online survey at www.lycoming.com/SB632, review your
inventory of any part listed in Table 2 of the MSB, and sending certain
parts to Lycoming Engines. This AD does not include those requirements.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
compliance is required within 10 operating hours. Therefore, we find
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less
than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2017-
0788 and Product Identifier 2017-NE-27-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
final rule because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this final rule.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 778 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
Inspection |
15 work-hours x $85 per
hour = $1,275 per inspection cycle |
$150.00
|
$1,425
|
$1,108,650.00 per inspection
cycle |
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:
On-Condition Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Connecting rod replacement on
4-cylinder engine. |
12 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $1,020.00 |
$1,150.00 |
$2,170.00 |
Connecting rod replacement on
6-cylinder engine. |
18 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $1,530.00 |
5,150.00 |
6,680.00 |
Connecting rod replacement on
8-cylinder engine. |
20 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $1,700.00 |
5,150.00 |
6,850.00 |
According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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