[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5173-5175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01414]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 5173]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1077; Product Identifier 2018-NE-40-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) Engines 
and Lycoming Engines Reciprocating Engines With a Certain SAP 
Crankshaft Assembly

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all SAP Model IO-360-series and O-360-series reciprocating engines 
and certain Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) Model AEIO-360-, IO-360-, and 
O-360-series reciprocating engines with a certain SAP crankshaft 
assembly installed. This SAP crankshaft assembly is installed as 
original equipment on the affected SAP engines and as a replacement 
part under parts manufacturer approval (PMA) on the affected Lycoming 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by three crankshaft assembly 
failures that resulted in the loss of engine power and immediate or 
emergency landings. This proposed AD would require the removal from 
service of all affected crankshaft assemblies. The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 16, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
1077; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Carter, Aerospace Engineer, 
Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 
76177; phone: 817-222-5146; fax: 817-222-5245; email: 
justin.carter@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2018-1077; 
Product Identifier 2018-NE-40-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information as described in the 
following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Justin Carter, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA learned of three SAP crankshaft assembly failures that took 
place on March 6, 2017, August 3, 2017, and October 31, 2018, that 
resulted in the loss of engine power and immediate or emergency 
landings. Since the FAA received these reports, the FAA determined that 
the crankshaft assembly failures resulted from the manufacturing 
process at SAP's crankshaft vendor during 2012 and 2014.
    The crankshaft assembly is a non-life-limited part, which should 
not fail (crack or separate) through fatigue. Rather, the crankshaft 
assembly is inspected during overhaul and may be replaced, on-
condition, due to wear beyond limits of the cam lobes and bearing 
surfaces.
    The FAA's analysis of the process used to manufacture the failed 
assemblies identified that gaseous nitrocarburization resulted in 
excessive residual white layer forming on the assemblies. This white 
layer is brittle and can lead to spalling or fatigue cracking of the 
crankshaft assembly as a result of the normal mechanical loads during 
engine operation. The FAA's analysis concluded that all three SAP 
crankshaft assembly failures were the result of this fatigue cracking. 
This condition, if not addressed, could result

[[Page 5174]]

in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane.
    These SAP crankshaft assemblies are installed as original equipment 
on SAP Model IO-360-series and O-360-series reciprocating engines and 
as a replacement part under PMA on certain Lycoming Model AEIO-360-, 
IO-360-, and O-360-series reciprocating engines.
    The FAA considered alternatives that may be less burdensome than 
removing the crankshaft assembly from service, including not taking AD 
action and requiring periodic inspections of the crankshaft assembly. 
However, these options are not acceptable because taking no action does 
not correct this known unsafe condition and the crankshaft assembly 
cannot be inspected without destroying it. The FAA concluded that there 
is no acceptable safety alternative to the replacement of the 
crankshaft assembly.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD because it 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 the removal from service of all 
affected crankshaft assemblies.

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.
    The FAA is 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 is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354, codified as 
amended at 5 U.S.C. 601-612) (RFA) establishes ``as a principle of 
regulatory issuance that agencies shall endeavor, consistent with the 
objectives of the rule and of applicable statutes, to fit regulatory 
and informational requirements to the scale of the businesses, 
organizations, and governmental jurisdictions subject to regulation. To 
achieve this principle, agencies are required to solicit and consider 
flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the rationale for their 
actions to assure that such proposals are given serious 
consideration.'' Public Law 96-354, 2(b), Sept. 19, 1980. The RFA 
covers a wide-range of small entities, including small businesses, not-
for-profit organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. 
Agencies must perform a review to determine whether a rule will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
If the agency determines that it will, the agency must prepare a 
regulatory flexibility analysis as described in the RFA. This portion 
of the preamble serves as the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA).
    Compliance cost of this proposed AD comes from the cost to remove 
and replace a crankshaft assembly. The FAA estimates that this proposed 
AD would affect 115 crankshaft assemblies installed on airplanes of 
U.S. registry. This cost estimate does not include 77 SAP crankshafts 
installed on experimental engines since these engines are not included 
in the applicability of this AD. Compliance cost per crankshaft 
assembly is identified below.
    Labor cost = 61 hours per crankshaft assembly replacement x $85 
Hourly Wage = $5,185.
    Equipment costs per crankshaft assembly replacement = $9,636 
(Source: Average of the two manufacturers).
    $5,185 labor per crankshaft assembly + $9,636 equipment costs per 
crankshaft assembly replacement = $14,821 compliance cost per engine.
    The total costs to U.S. operators is $1,704,415, or $119,309 in 
annualized costs. There are no additional costs after removing and 
replacing the crankshaft assembly.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Under Section 603(b) and (c) of the RFA, the initial analysis must 
address the following six areas:
    (1) Description of reasons the agency is considering the action;
    (2) Statement of the legal basis and objectives for the proposed 
rule;
    (3) Description of the record keeping and other compliance 
requirements of the proposed rule;
    (4) All federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with 
the proposed rule;
    (5) Description and an estimated number of small entities to which 
the proposed rule will apply; and
    (6) Describe alternatives considered.

Reasons the Agency Is Considering the Action

    This proposed AD was prompted by three crankshaft assembly failures 
that resulted in the loss of engine power and immediate or emergency 
landings. The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the 
crankshaft assembly by requiring the removal of all affected crankshaft 
assemblies from service. Failure of a crankshaft assembly, if not 
addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, 
and loss of the airplane.

Legal Basis and Objectives for the Proposed Rule

    The FAA's legal basis for this proposed AD is discussed in detail 
under the ``Authority for this Rulemaking'' section.

Description and an Estimated Number of Small Entities to Which the 
Proposed Rule Would Apply

    This proposed AD would apply to all SAP Model IO-360-series and O-
360-series reciprocating engines and certain Lycoming Model AEIO-360-, 
IO-360-, and O-360-series reciprocating engines with a certain SAP 
crankshaft assembly installed. This SAP crankshaft assembly is 
installed as original equipment on the affected SAP engines and as a 
replacement part under PMA on the affected Lycoming engines. These 
engines are installed on airplanes performing various activities 
including, but not limited to, flight training, charter flights, and 
agriculture.
    Under the RFA, the FAA must determine whether a proposed rule 
significantly affects a substantial number of small entities. The FAA 
uses the Small Business Administration (SBA) criteria for determining 
whether an affected entity is small. For aircraft/engine manufacturers, 
aviation operators, and any business using an aircraft, the SBA 
criterion is 1,500 or

[[Page 5175]]

fewer employees. The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 
115 crankshaft assemblies installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
FAA does not have any information or data on whether these entities are 
small businesses according to the definition established by the SBA. 
The FAA requests comment and data that would allow us to more 
accurately assess the number of employees and sales revenues of the 
affected entities.

Record-Keeping and Other Compliance Requirements of the Proposed Rule

    There are no record-keeping costs associated with this proposed 
rule.

Duplicative, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules

    There are no relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with this proposed rule.

Alternatives to the Proposed AD

    As part of the IRFA, the FAA is required to consider regulatory 
alternatives that may be less burdensome. The FAA considered the 
following alternatives:
    Do nothing: This option is not acceptable because the risk of 
additional failures of these crankshaft assemblies constitutes a known 
unsafe condition.
    Periodic inspections: This option is not possible as the crankshaft 
assembly cannot be inspected without destroying it.
    There is no direct safety alternative to the replacement of the 
crankshaft assembly. The replacement addresses a safety issue aimed at 
preventing the failure of the crankshaft assembly.
    Therefore, this proposed rulemaking may have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA invites 
public comments regarding this determination.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Superior Air Parts, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-1077; Product 
Identifier 2018-NE-40-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by March 16, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the reciprocating engine models identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD with a Superior Air Parts, Inc. 
(SAP) crankshaft assembly, part number (P/N) SL36500-A20 or P/N 
SL36500-A31, with serial numbers 82976-01; 82976-02; SP12-0003 
through SP12-0089, inclusive; SP13-0034 through SP13-0150, 
inclusive; or SP14-0151 through SP14-0202, inclusive; installed.
    (1) With SAP crankshaft assembly, P/N SL36500-A20, installed:
    (i) SAP Model IO-360-series and O-360-series reciprocating 
engines.
    (ii) Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) Model IO-360-B2F, IO-360-L2A, 
O-360, O-360-A2A, O-360-A2D, O-360-A2E, O-360-A2F, O-360-A2G, O-360-
B2A, O-360-C2A, O-360-C2C, O-360-C2D, O-360-C2E, O-360-D2A, and O-
360-D2B reciprocating engines.
    (2) With SAP crankshaft assembly, P/N SL36500-A31, installed:
    (i) SAP Model IO-360-series and O-360-series reciprocating 
engines.
    (ii) Lycoming Model AEIO-360-H1A, IO-360-B1A, IO-360-B1B, IO-
360-B1D, IO-360-B1E, IO-360-B1F, IO-360-M1A, O-360, O-360-A1A, O-
360-A1C, O-360-A1D, O-360-A2A, O-360-C1A, O-360-C1G, O-360-C1C, O-
360-C1E, and O-360-C1F reciprocating engines.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: This SAP crankshaft assembly 
may be installed as a replacement part under parts manufacturer 
approval on the affected Lycoming engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8520, Reciprocating 
Engine Power Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by three crankshaft assembly failures that 
resulted in the loss of engine power and immediate or emergency 
landings. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
crankshaft assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Within 25 engine operating hours after the effective date of 
this AD, remove the crankshaft assembly from service.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A one-time special flight permit may be issued to fly the 
aircraft to a maintenance facility to perform the actions of this AD 
with the following limitations: No passengers, visual flight rules 
(VFR) day conditions only, and avoid areas of known turbulence.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Justin Carter, 
Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, 76177; phone: 817-222-5146; fax: 817-222-
5245; email: justin.carter@faa.gov.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 23, 2020.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01414 Filed 1-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


