AD 2012-03-06

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6671-6673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2896]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0547; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-13-AD; 
Amendment 39-16947; AD 2012-03-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines 
(Formerly Textron Lycoming), and Continental Motors, Inc., Fuel-
Injected Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Superior Air Parts and Lycoming Engines fuel-injected reciprocating 
engines. That AD currently requires removing AVStar Fuel Systems, Inc. 
(AFS) fuel servos installed after May 20, 2010, if the servo contained 
an AFS diaphragm, part number (P/N) AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, from 
certain production lots. This AD expands the applicability, and changes 
the compliance interval for all affected Superior Air Parts, Lycoming 
Engines, and Continental Motors, Inc., fuel-injected reciprocating 
engines. This AD was prompted by an accident involving a Piper PA32R-
301 airplane, and by the discovery of additional engines being affected 
by the unsafe condition since we issued the existing AD. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent an in-flight engine shutdown due to a failed fuel 
servo diaphragm, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective February 24, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 16, 
2011 (76 FR 45655, August 1, 2011).
    We must receive any comments on this AD by March 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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 AD, contact AVStar Fuel 
Systems, Inc., 1365 Park Lane South, Jupiter, FL 33458; phone: (561) 
575-1560; Web site: www.avstardirect.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. 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

[[Page 6672]]

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 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: Kevin Brane, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5582; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On July 13, 2011, we issued AD 2011-15-10, Amendment 39-16757 (76 
FR 45655, August 1, 2011), for Superior Air Parts and Lycoming Engines 
fuel-injected reciprocating engines. That AD requires, before further 
flight, removing AFS fuel servos installed after May 20, 2010, if the 
servo contained an AFS diaphragm, P/N AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, from 
certain production lots. That AD resulted from an accident involving a 
Piper PA32R-301 airplane. We issued that AD to prevent an in-flight 
engine shutdown due to a failed fuel servo diaphragm, and damage to the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2011-15-10, Amendment 39-16757 (76 FR 45655, 
August 1, 2011), five commenters made us aware of eight additional 
engine models affected by the unsafe condition. We concur with the 
commenters. Discussions with AFS as a result of the comments indicated 
that the diaphragm problem extended to other reciprocating engines. AFS 
also indicated that the problem diaphragms could be installed on other 
unknown fuel injected engines. Therefore, we determined that we need to 
change the applicability from a table of specific engine models, to all 
Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines, and Continental Motors, Inc., 
fuel injected reciprocating engine models with an AFS fuel servo 
diaphragm, P/N AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, installed.
    Also since we issued AD 2011-15-10, Amendment 39-16757 (76 FR 
45655, August 1, 2011), we relaxed the compliance from before further 
flight to within 5 flight hours after the effective date of the AD.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed AFS Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. AFS-SB6, 
Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011. The MSB provides P/Ns and serial 
numbers (S/Ns) of affected servos.

FAA's Determination

    We conducted an updated risk analysis using the known number of 
diaphragms potentially still in service and concluded that an 
unacceptable risk of an in-flight engine shutdown still exists. 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 within 5 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD, that you determine if an AFS fuel servo diaphragm P/N 
AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803 from specific production lots, as identified 
in AFS MSB No. AFS-SB6, Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011, was installed 
in your fuel servo at any time after May 20, 2010, and if installed, 
that you remove the fuel servo from service before further flight.
    This AD also replaces Table 1 of the existing AD with the statement 
that this AD applies to all Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines, and 
Continental Motors, Inc., fuel injected reciprocating engine models 
with an AFS fuel servo diaphragm, P/N AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, 
installed.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    AFS MSB No. AFS-SB6, Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011, does not 
specify a compliance time and recommends limiting special flight 
permits to delivery to a service location. This AD requires performing 
the actions within 5 flight hours and prohibits special flight permits.

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 of 
the compliance requirement of 5 flight 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 we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
the docket number FAA-2011-0547 and directorate identifier 2011-NE-13-
AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments 
on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects 
of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this AD 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 61,000 engines installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.5 
work-hour per engine to perform the inspection, 2.0 work-hours per 
engine to remove the servo from 261 engines with a discrepant AFS 
diaphragm, P/N AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803 installed, and that the 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. We estimate the parts cost to 
be $565 per servo. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost 
of the AD to U.S. operators to be $2,784,335.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a

[[Page 6673]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2011-15-10, Amendment 39-16757 (76 FR 45655, August 1, 2011) and adding 
the following new AD:

012-03-06 Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron 
Lycoming), and Continental Motors, Inc. (formerly Teledyne 
Continental Motors, Continental) Fuel-Injected Reciprocating 
Engines: Amendment 39-16947; Docket No. FAA-2011-0547; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 24, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2011-15-10, Amendment 39-16757 (76 FR 
45655, August 1, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines, and 
Continental Motors, Inc., fuel injected reciprocating engine models 
with an AVStar Fuel Systems, Inc. (AFS) fuel servo diaphragm, part 
number (P/N) AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an accident involving a Piper PA32R-301 
airplane, and by the discovery of additional engines being affected 
by the unsafe condition since we issued AD 2011-15-10, Amendment 39-
16757 (76 FR 45655, August 1, 2011). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an in-flight engine shutdown due to a failed fuel servo 
diaphragm, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

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

(f) Remove Fuel Servo

    (1) Within 5 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
determine if an AFS fuel servo diaphragm P/N AV2541801 or P/N 
AV2541803, from an affected production lot was installed in your 
fuel servo at any time after May 20, 2010. Use AFS Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. AFS-SB6, Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011 to 
determine if your fuel servo has an affected diaphragm. If you 
determine that your fuel servo has an affected diaphragm, remove the 
fuel servo from service before further flight.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any fuel 
servo containing an AFS fuel servo diaphragm, P/N AV2541801 or P/N 
AV2541803 from the production lots listed in AFS MSB No. AFS-SB6, 
Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011, into any airplane.

(g) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are not authorized.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Brane, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5582; fax: (404) 
474-5606; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use AVStar Fuel Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. AFS-SB6, Revision 2, dated April 6, 2011, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51 on August 16, 2011.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
AVStar Fuel Systems, Inc., 1365 Park Lane South, Jupiter, FL 33458; 
(561) 575-1560; Web site: www.avstardirect.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (781) 238-
7125.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 31, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2896 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P