AD 71-13-01 R1

This AD is effective March 8, 2012.

For service information identified in this AD, contact Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: (570) 323-6181; fax: (570) 327-7101; Web site: www.lycoming.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.

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 to rescind an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2011 (76 FR 42609). That NPRM proposed to rescind AD 71-13-01 (Amendment number is 39-1231; 36 FR 11512-03, June 15, 1971) for Lycoming Engines model TIO-540-A series reciprocating engines. That AD requires a one-time visual inspection of external fuel injector lines on Lycoming Engines model TIO-540-A series reciprocating engines for fuel stains, cracks, dents, and bend radii under 5/8 inch and, if necessary, removal from service and replacement with serviceable parts. That AD also requires installing, if necessary, fuel injector line support clamps in accordance with Lycoming Engines SB No. 335 or later version of that SB.

Since we issued AD 71-13-01 (Amendment number is 39-1231; 36 FR 11512-03, June 15, 1971), Lycoming Engines has informed us that it no longer supports SB No. 335A. They also pointed out that Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F, dated June 4, 2010, or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness section of the Engine Overhaul Manual is the service information that owners, operators, and certificated repair facilities must use for initial and repetitive visual inspections of external fuel lines on all affected Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines.

We incorporated by reference Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342E, dated May 18, 2004, into AD 2008-14-07 (73 FR 39574, July 10, 2008). We will supersede AD 2008-14-07 to incorporate by reference Lycoming Engines Mandatory SB No. 342F, dated June 4, 2010.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 42609, July 19, 2011).

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

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, 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 rescinding airworthiness directive (AD) 71-13-01, Amendment 39-1231: