AD 2015-02-07

This AD is effective March 11, 2015.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 11, 2015.

For service information identified in this AD, 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 & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

Norm Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7337; fax: 516-794-5531; email: norman.perenson@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain S/N Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2014 (79 FR 54218). The NPRM was prompted by events of propeller governor shaft set screws coming loose due to improper installation. If the set screws come loose, the engine may lose oil resulting in damage to the engine and damage to the airplane. The NPRM proposed to require application of Loctite 290, or equivalent, to the threads of the propeller governor shaft set screw at each installation of the set screw in addition to the peening of crankcase hole threads. We are issuing this AD to prevent the propeller governor shaft set screw from coming loose, causing damage to the engine and damage to the airplane.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54218, September 11, 2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

We did however; find that we directed the use of LocTite 290, a commercial product by brand name. We changed the AD to remove the requirement to use any particular brand like LocTite 290, from this AD.

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

We reviewed Lycoming Engines Service Instruction No. 1343B, dated June 15, 2007. The service instruction describes procedures for application of sealant for the propeller governor shaft set screw and the peening of crankcase hole threads. You can find this information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0540.

We estimate that this AD will affect about 2,330 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.1 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Prorated parts life will cost about $1 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $22,135.

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 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 to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):