AD/LYC/102 Amdt 2 - Crankshaft Internal Inspection

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B11194 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 


Lycoming Piston Engines

 

AD/LYC/102

Amdt 2


Crankshaft Internal Inspection 11/98

 

Applicability: Textron Lycoming O-320 and O-360 series engines as detailed in Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 505B, and not incorporating a front bore protective coating as detailed in Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 530 or as approved by this authority.

 

Note 1: Engines applicable are engines fitted with hollow front bore crankshafts and installed in aircraft propelled by fixed pitch propellers.

 

Requirement: 1. Installed crankshafts: Carry out an internal inspection of the front bore of the crankshaft for evidence of corrosion in accordance with the inspection procedure detailed in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 505B. If there is no evidence of pitting corrosion in the front bore, no further action is required until the next inspection as detailed in the compliance requirements of this directive.

 

2.    If in carrying out the internal inspection in accordance with Requirement 1 of this Directive there is evidence of pitting corrosion in the front bore:

 

(A)   Carry out a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) in accordance with the FPI procedures detailed in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 505B, and

 

(B)    Remove any evidence of pitting corrosion in accordance with a procedure approved by this authority, or CAR 35 authorised person, or remove the crankshaft from service.

 

(C)    If in carrying out the FPI inspection a crankshaft is found to be cracked, the crankshaft is to be removed from service.

 

3.    Spare crankshafts: Carry out an internal inspection of the front bore of the crankshaft for evidence of corrosion in accordance with the procedure detailed in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 505B, and

 

(A)   Remove any evidence of pitting corrosion in accordance with a procedure approved by this Authority, or CAR 35 authorised person, and

 

(B)    Carry out a Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Inspection (FMPI) of the crankshaft front bore in accordance with the engine manufacturer’s procedures or, the procedures detailed in CAO 108.8 Appendix 1.

 

(C)    Apply a protective coating in accordance with the procedure detailed in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 530, or a procedure approved by this Authority or CAR 35 authorised person.

 

Note 2: FAA Airworthiness Directive 98-02-08 refers.

 

Compliance: Requirement 1: Unless previously accomplished;

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 

(A)   Applicable engines with a time in service since new, remanufacture or overhaul, of greater than 1,000 hours or 10 years:

 

(i)       within 100 hours time in service or 12 months or at next removal of the crankshaft from the engine, whichever occurs first, and

 

(ii)     thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 calendar years.

 

(B)    Applicable engines with a time in service since new, remanufacture or overhaul of less than 1,000 hours and 10 years:

 

(i)       prior to exceeding 1,100 hours time in service or 11 years time in service or at next removal of the crankshaft from the engine, whichever occurs first, and

 

(ii)     thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 calendar years. Requirement 2, unless previously accomplished:

(A)   before further flight.

 

(B)    within 100 hours time in service.

 

(C)    before further flight.

 

Requirement 3, in toto, unless previously accomplished: Prior to installation of a crankshaft in an engine.

This amendment becomes effective on 8 October 1998.

 

Background:  The original issue of this directive was issued to require the inspection of hollow front bore crankshafts fitted with fixed pitch propellers. The requirement addresses CAA (UK) advice of two crankshaft failure events in flight. Amendment 1 to this Directive addresses:

 

  • advice of industry concern with interpreting the compliance requirements of the original issue of this directive. In response, Requirement 1 has been amended to reflect; for engines with less than 1,000 hours operating time in service and less than 10 years calendar time in service, an inspection is required prior to exceeding 1,100 hours or 11 years time in service, whichever occurs first, or at next removal of the crankshaft from the engine, and

 

  • industry reports of; in complying with the requirements of the original issue of this directive, evidence of pitting corrosion in a significant number of engines is resulting in aircraft being grounded. This amendment requires crankshafts with evidence of pitting corrosion to be inspected by FPI before further flight and the pitting corrosion removed, or the crankshaft replaced, within 100 hours time in service.

 

Amendment 2 to this Directive has been issued to include CAR 35 authorised persons in designing and approving inspection and repair schemes.

 

Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 June 1998. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 14 May 1998.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, has enacted the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which include the Airworthiness Directive AD/LYC/102, specifically addressing the inspection and maintenance of Lycoming Piston Engines. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the crankshafts of Textron Lycoming O-320 and O-360 series engines, particularly those without a front bore protective coating, as highlighted in Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 505B. The directive aims to prevent in-flight failures by mandating regular internal inspections for evidence of corrosion and subsequent actions to ensure the integrity of the crankshaft. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of affected aircraft by ensuring that crankshafts are routinely inspected and maintained to prevent corrosion-related failures, thus enhancing flight safety. This amendment reflects the need to clarify compliance requirements and address industry concerns regarding the grounding of aircraft due to pitting corrosion in crankshafts.

Scope and Application

The Lycoming Piston Engines AD/LYC/102 Amendment 2 pertains specifically to Textron Lycoming O-320 and O-360 series engines equipped with hollow front bore crankshafts and installed in aircraft propelled by fixed pitch propellers, excluding those with a front bore protective coating as per Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 530 or approved by the relevant authority. This directive applies to engines in service within Australia and mandates compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive sets forth specific inspection and maintenance requirements to ensure the airworthiness of the mentioned engines. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for all applicable engines, with inspections and corrective actions to be carried out by authorised personnel as detailed in the directive. The legislation also allows for the involvement of CAR 35 authorised persons in designing and approving inspection and repair schemes.

Key Provisions

The legislative instrument F2006B11194, specifically the Lycoming Piston Engines AD/LYC/102 Amendment 2 concerning the crankshaft internal inspection, sets out the requirements for inspecting Textron Lycoming O-320 and O-360 series engines that do not have a front bore protective coating. Section 1 of the directive mandates that internal inspections be conducted on the front bore of the crankshaft to detect any evidence of corrosion. If no pitting corrosion is found, no further action is needed until the next scheduled inspection (section 1(1)). However, if pitting corrosion is detected during this inspection, a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) must be performed, and any signs of pitting corrosion must be removed or the crankshaft removed from service (section 1(2)). Additionally, if a crack is detected during the FPI inspection, the crankshaft must be removed from service immediately (section 1(2)(C)). For spare crankshafts, an internal inspection must be carried out, and any signs of pitting corrosion removed. A Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Inspection (FMPI) is also required, followed by the application of a protective coating (section 1(3)). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, including the need to conduct the internal inspection of the crankshaft front bore and to perform the FPI and FMPI inspections as required. The directive further mandates that any evidence of pitting corrosion be removed or the crankshaft be taken out of service. For spare crankshafts, a protective coating must be applied after the FMPI inspection. These obligations ensure the safety and airworthiness of the engines in question, thereby preventing potential in-flight failures. Breach of the requirements set forth in this directive can result in serious consequences. The directive underscores that failure to conduct the necessary inspections or to remove evidence of pitting corrosion can lead to the grounding of aircraft. Furthermore, if a cracked crankshaft is identified and not removed from service, it can pose a significant safety risk, potentially leading to severe penalties. The directive does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance but implies that the non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in regulatory action, including fines and potential criminal charges under civil aviation laws.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.