Sat, Dec 10, 2005
AOPA filed comments
this week opposing a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) against
certain Lycoming 360- and 540- series engines that have ECi
connecting rods installed. AOPA requested that the FAA withdraw the
AD and issue a special airworthiness information bulletin.
"The FAA is basing this AD on one engine failure in which an
unrelated problem, possibly an oil blockage, could have caused or
contributed to the failure," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of
regulatory and certification policy.
"AOPA has found no evidence that shows the engine connecting
rods fail to meet safe, FAA-approved limits."
The proposed AD would
affect about 2,800 engines, according to the FAA; however, ECi says
the number should be much lower. The affected engines are installed
in popular airplanes such as Cessna 172s, Beech Sundowners, Grumman
Tigers, and several Piper and Mooney models.
AOPA also opposes the FAA's application of automobile standards
to aircraft, particularly because this issue has implications for
all reciprocating engine connecting rod bores. The FAA used Society
of Automotive Engineers standards, but AOPA says a study of the
differences between air-cooled (aircraft) and water-cooled
(automobile) engines should be done before applying automotive
standards to aircraft.
"The FAA has blindsided AOPA, ECi, and the general aviation
community in spite of an agreement to utilize the airworthiness
concern process to gather all of the GA community input before
making a decision as to whether an AD is warranted," Gutierrez
said. "The agency should undertake a study that includes industry
participation.
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