AD 95-26-02   Detonation Inspection

January 24, 1996

This AD applies to Lycoming 0-235 engines installed on the listed airplanes.

This Ad supersedes AD 94-14-13.

This priority letter airworthiness directive (AD) is prompted by reports of aviation gasoline (avgas) being contaminated by Jet A fuel. After investigation the source of the contamination has been determined to be the refiner of the avgas. Through its distribution system, the refiner inadvertently caused Jet A fuel to be loaded into distribution tanks intended for avgas. Contaminated avgas from these distribution tanks was then shipped to local fuel distributors. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that aircraft with certain Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) engines installed were fueled with this contaminated mixture between May 22 and June 2, 1994, at Sacramento Executive (SAC) airport, or between May 18 and June 2, 1994, at Sacramento Metro (SMF) airport. The list of U.S. registered aircraft specified in the applicability paragraph of this AD is based on investigation of fueling records secured from the two affected airports, which the FAA has determined to represent the population of affected engines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in detonation due to low octane, which can result in severe engine damage and subsequent failure.

This AD requires engines certified to operate on 80 octane avgas to undergo inspection for evidence of possible internal engine damage. Engineering analysis of operating these engines with avgas contaminated with Jet A fuel indicates that actual damage to the engine may range from unnoticeable to very severe, according to the duration of run, engine power level, and level of contamination. Investigation revealed the lowest octane level of the contaminated fuel to be 83 octane, therefore engines certified to operate on 80 octane avgas need not undergo a teardown and analytical inspection unless evidence of internal engine damage is present by the required differential compression test and examination of the oil filter for metal particles.

95-26-02 Textron Lycoming: Amendment 39-9460. Docket No. 95-ANE-67. Supersedes Priority Letter AD 94-14-13, issued June 23, 1994.

Applicability: Textron Lycoming (formerly Avco Lycoming) O-235-12C, O-235-L, O-320-A, O-320-B2C, O-320-E, O-320-E2A, O-320-E2D, O-320-E20, O-320-D2J, O-320-D3G, O-320-H2AD, IO-320-B, IO-320-B, IO-320-C, LO-320-A4K, LO-320-D1D, O-360-A, O-360-A4M, O-360-F, IO-360-A, IO-360-BIB, IO-360-C, LO-360-A1A, LO-360-A1D, LIO-360-A1A, LIO-360-A3B6D, TIO-360-C, TVO-435-AIA, O-540-E, O-540-C, O-540-J, IO-540-C, IO-540-D, IO-540 E 290, IO-540-K, TIO-540-F, TIO-540-J, TIO-540-S, and R-680 series reciprocating engines, installed on the following U.S. registered aircraft: N1004V, N1010F, N106RE, N1068M, N110MP, N1285X, N1317P, N1344V, N14006, N15851, N1666C, N177DT, N1920F, N1928Q, N20HT, N20NC, N20ND, N207X, N2040Q, N2128W, N2165M, N2185K, N2232Z, N22874, N2300R, N2346G, N2394Q, N24395, N24627, N24860, N250M, N2555V, N25562, N2578L, N2603Y, N26602, N28FG, N2811R, N2815F, N2817Q, N2819A, N2848Q, N28683, N2927M, N2964K, N3060M, N32388, N33696, N34242, N36358, N3737U, N37500, N3945K, N40ES, N40VF, N400JM, N4222J, N4293Y, N4316T, N4320F, N4497U, N4515P, N46GS, N4602S, N4674S, N4687P, N47SG, N4796V, N47964, N48ES, N494FL, N5199U, N52015, N5217L, N5254K, N5344K, N5418W, N54228, N54661, N5547Q, N55521, N56884, N59850, N6005Z, N6045M, N61569, N6239H, N62801, N6286W, N6297V, N63R, N6370P, N6412D, N6480D, N6483Q, N6493Q, N65425, N671A, N67615, N67975, N68SC, N68937, N6905V, N7ZX, N70416, N71RJ, N711PG, N714ZU, N7157V, N7195G, N7213P, N7230F, N7230Q, N7248H, N73064, N733WH, N734TA, N7361R, N737CM, N737NV, N738GX, N738KC, N738KF, N738RC, N738ZL, N739RF, N75381, N755GA, N756RV, N757SK, N757SX, N757TU, N7724M, N777EE, N78887, N78901, N7894V, N792BW, N804EH, N8070P, N8094Q, N81RP, N81203, N8144G, N8149E, N8184X, N8201B, N82182, N8223W, N8264W, N8306D, N8372L, N8494E, N8537J, N8579H, N8691Y, N8810P, N8961P, N9140J, N9157S, N9296P, N9407K, N9444R, N9451B, N95WT, N9574L, N96TB, N96134, N9666V, N9673L, N9728U, N9783L, N9808J and N9864C.

NOTE: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any engine from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent detonation due to low octane, which can result in severe engine damage and subsequent failure, accomplish the following:

(a) For engines that are certified to operate on only 91 or higher octane aviation gasoline (avgas) within the next 2 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD) perform an engine teardown and analytical inspection, and replace with serviceable parts as necessary in accordance with Avco Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No. 398, dated April 30, 1976.

(b) For engines that are certified to operate on 80 octane avgas, within the next 2 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD conduct a differential compression test on all cylinders in accordance with Avco Lycoming Service Instruction (SI) No. 1191, dated March 31, 1972, and examine the oil filter by cutting the oil filter apart and spreading the filter paper out to look for metal particles. If metal particles are present, or if one or more cylinders shows unacceptable compression as specified in Avco Lycoming SI No. 1191, dated March 31, 1972, perform an engine teardown and analytical inspection, and replace with serviceable parts as necessary in accordance with Avco Lycoming SB No. 398, dated April 30, 1976.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Staff. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Staff. NOTE: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Engine and Propeller Standards Staff.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance with the following Avco Lycoming service documents:

DOCUMENT NO.PAGEREVISIONDATE
SB No. 3981OriginalApril 30, 1976
Total Pages: 1.
SI No. 11911-2OriginalMarch 31, 1972
Total Pages: 2.

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Textron Lycoming, Reciprocating Engine Division, 652 Oliver St., Williamsport, PA 17701; telephone (717) 327-7278, fax (717) 327-7022. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment supersedes priority letter AD 94-14-13, issued June 23, 1994.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 24, 1996.

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