2006-10-21 ENGINE COMPONENTS INCORPORATED (ECi): Amendment 39-14605. Docket No. FAA-2005-21331; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-07-AD.

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) 360 and 540 series reciprocating engines with ECi connecting rods, part number (P/N) AEL11750, installed. The Airmotive Engineering Corp, Division of Engine Components Incorporated (ECi), holds the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for the affected parts, and markets the parts as ECi parts. This AD requires replacing certain lot and serial numbered connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, having forging part number AEL11488. This AD would also prohibit installing certain ECi connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, into any Lycoming 360 or 540 series reciprocating engines. This AD results from reports of connecting rods with excessive variation in circularity of the journal bores. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue failure of the connecting rod and a possible uncommanded shutdown of the engine.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 22, 2006.

Applicability
   (c)    This AD applies to Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) 360 and 540 series reciprocating engines specified in Table 1 of this AD with Engine Components Incorporated (ECi) connecting rods, part number (P/N) AEL11750 installed, limited to Serial Numbers 54/6 and below and produced between January 2002 and January 2004. They are also identified with forging P/N AEL11488 in raised letters on the web of the beam between the big and small ends of the connecting rod.

These engines are installed on, but not limited to, the aircraft listed in Table 2 of this AD.

Cessna Aircraft: Cardinal C–177A and C–177B, Teal III, TSC (1A3), Skyhawk RG, and C–172RG, Cutlass C–172Q.