[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54397-54399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22351]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0533; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Textron Lycoming) Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD would require removing certain
[[Page 54398]]
``machined-from-billet'' Volare LLC (formerly Precision Airmotive
Corporation, formerly Facet Aerospace Products Company, formerly
Marvel-Schebler (BorgWarner)) HA-6 carburetors, inspecting for a loose
mixture control sleeve or for a sleeve that may become loose, repairing
the carburetor, or replacing the carburetor with one eligible for
installation. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a
``machined-from-billet'' HA-6 carburetor having a loose mixture control
sleeve that rotated in the carburetor body causing restriction of fuel
and power loss. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine in-flight
shutdown, power loss, and reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 17,
2011.
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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Marvel-Schebler Aircraft Carburetors LLC, 125 Piedmont Avenue,
Gibsonville NC 27249; phone: 336-446-0002; fax: 336-446-0007; e-mail:
[email protected]; Web site: http://www.msacarbs.com. You
may review copies of the referenced 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; 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 proposed 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: Neil Duggan, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate; 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone:
404-474-5576; fax: 404-474-5606; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0533;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-16-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
Volare Carburetors, LLC recently informed us of an airplane
experiencing power loss. Volare reported that the airplane engine's
carburetor, formerly known as a Precision Airmotive ``machined-from-
billet'' HA-6 carburetor, had a loose mixture control sleeve that
rotated in the carburetor body. That rotation restricted fuel flow and
caused power loss. Volare also reported that the sleeve rotation was a
manufacturing defect.
In 2008, a similar power loss event occurred. At that time, the
manufacturer recovered five carburetors, which represented all known
discrepant carburetors. With this recent failure, however, the
population of five affected carburetors is too small, and must be
expanded.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight
shutdown or power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Marvel-Schebler Aircraft Carburetors LLC Emergency
Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB-18, dated October 14, 2010. The SB
identifies the affected population of HA-6 carburetors.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing 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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
This proposed AD has a compliance time of within 50 flight hours
after the effective date of the AD. The Marvel-Schebler Aircraft
Carburetors LLC Emergency SB No. SB-18, dated October 14, 2010, has a
compliance time of before further flight.
This proposed AD would not require returning the carburetor to the
manufacturer. The SB does.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 10,700 engines installed
on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about
0.5 work-hour per aircraft to perform the proposed inspection, and that
about 409 carburetors would need repair. Approximately 2 work-hours per
carburetor are required to repair the carburetor. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $600 per
carburetor. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $769,680. Our cost estimate is
exclusive of possible warranty coverage.
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.
[[Page 54399]]
Regulatory Findings
We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
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
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):
Lycoming Engines (Type Certificate previously held by Textron
Lycoming) Reciprocating Engines: Docket No. FAA-2011-0533;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-16-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by October 17, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the Lycoming Engines reciprocating
engines listed in Table 1 of this AD, with carburetor part numbers
listed in Table 2 of this AD.
Table 1--Affected Lycoming Engine Models
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O-320-D1D O-360-A1G6D O-360-A1H6
O-360-A2G O-360-A4G O-360-A4J
O-360-A4K O-360-C4F O-360-E1A6D
O-360-F1A6 HO-360-C1A LO-360-A1G6D
LO-360-A1H6 LO-360-E1A6D TO-360-C1A6D
O-540-J3C5D O-540-L3C5D N/A
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Table 2--Part Numbers (Including All Dash Numbers) of Known Affected HA-6 Model Carburetors
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10-5219-XX 10-5224-XX 10-5230-XX 10-5235-XX 10-5253-XX
10-5255-XX 10-5283-XX 10-6001-XX 10-6019-XX 10-6030-XX
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of a ``machined-from-
billet'' HA-6 carburetor having a loose mixture control sleeve that
rotated in the carburetor body causing restriction of fuel and power
loss. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown,
power loss, and reduced control of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within 50 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, unless already done.
Inspection
(f) Inspect the carburetor to determine the type of body the
carburetor has. Use Marvel-Schebler Emergency Service Bulletin (SB)
No. SB-18, dated October 14, 2010, Figure (3) to determine which
type of body is used.
(g) If the carburetor has a die-cast body, no further action is
required.
(h) If the carburetor has an affected ``machined-from-billet''
body, remove the carburetor; and replace the carburetor with:
(i) An HA-6 carburetor not listed in Table 2 of this AD; or
(ii) An HA-6 carburetor that is listed in Table 2 but is
exempted as described in paragraphs 1.A. and 1.B of Marvel-Schebler
Emergency SB No. SB-18, dated October 14, 2010; or that has already
been repaired using that Emergency SB.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) For more information about this AD, contact Neil Duggan,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion, Atlanta Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate; 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5576; fax: (404) 474-
5606; e-mail: [email protected].
(k) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Marvel-Schebler Aircraft Carburetors LLC, 125 Piedmont Avenue,
Gibsonville, NC 27249; phone: 336-446-0002; fax: 336-446-0007; e-
mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.msacarbs.com. You may review copies of the referenced 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 24, 2011.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-22351 Filed 8-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P