AD 96-23-03

On October 28, 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued priority letter airworthiness directive (AD) 96-23-03, applicable to Textron Lycoming IO-320, LIO-320, AEIO-320, IO-360, LIO-360, AEIO-360, HIO-360, TO-360, IO-540, O-540-L, LIO-540, and AEIO-540 series reciprocating engines, which requires within 5 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of the priority letter AD, a maintenance records check to determine if suspect high pressure fuel pumps are installed, and if the records check indicates a suspect high pressure fuel pump may be installed, inspection, which can be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot's certificate, to determine if the high pressure fuel pump has one of the suspect date codes. If the high pressure fuel pump has one of the suspect date codes, the priority letter AD requires disassembly and inspection of the high pressure fuel pump, and, if necessary, removal from service and replacement with a serviceable part. In addition, the priority letter AD requires reporting findings of unserviceable high pressure fuel pumps. That action was prompted by reports of inflight failures of high pressure fuel pumps. Investigations into those incidents revealed that the fuel pump gasket, Part Number (P/N) 5621005, became lodged in the pump outlet port after separating from the pump diaphragm assembly on high pressure fuel pumps, P/N LW-15473. Further investigation revealed that the high pressure fuel pumps developed defects during manufacturing. The engines involved in those incidents had high pressure fuel pumps with manufacturing date codes: 154739506, 154739507, or 154739510. The first five digits of the manufacturing date codes refer to the Textron Lycoming P/N and the last four digits refer to the year and month of pump manufacture. This condition, if not corrected, could result in an inflight engine failure due to fuel starvation, which could result in a forced landing.

The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. 525A, dated October 7, 1996, that describes procedures for identifying the manufacturing date code. This SB also includes procedures for inspection of internal parts of high pressure fuel pumps, replacement of specific parts or the complete high pressure fuel pump, if necessary, and reassembly of the high pressure fuel pump.

Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued priority letter AD 96-23-03 to prevent inflight engine failure due to fuel starvation, which could result in a forced landing. The AD requires within 5 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, a maintenance records check to determine if suspect high pressure fuel pumps are installed, and if the records check indicates a suspect high pressure fuel pump may be installed, inspection, which can be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot's certificate, to determine if the high pressure fuel pump has one of the suspect date codes. If the high pressure fuel pump has one of the suspect date codes, this AD requires disassembly and inspection of the high pressure fuel pump, and, if necessary, removal from service and replacement with a serviceable part. In addition, this AD requires reporting findings of unserviceable high pressure fuel pumps. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.

Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters issued on October 28, 1996, to all known U.S. owners and operators of Textron Lycoming IO-320, LIO-320, AEIO-320, IO-360, LIO-360, AEIO-360, HIO-360, TO-360, IO-540, O-540-L, LIO-540, and AEIO-540 series reciprocating engines. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to make it effective to all persons. Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 96-ANE-31." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at thelocation provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 - [AMENDED] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: