2018-02-04: Exhaust Noise Suppressor

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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): 2018-02-04 Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc.: Amendment 39-19157; Docket No. FAA-2017-0324; Product Identifier 2017-CE-004-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective February 21, 2018. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc. (AWI) mufflers listed in figure 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD that are installed on but not limited to the airplanes listed in figure 2 of paragraph (c) of this AD. Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: You may use AWI Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 15063001, dated June 30, 2015, to identify if an affected muffler is installed on the airplane. [[Page 2357]] Figure 1 of Paragraph (c) of This AD--Affected Mufflers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Muffler part No. Muffler serial Nos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A1754001-23...................... 33553 through 33557; 34721 through 34728; 35322 through 35329; 35670; 38481 through 38485; 38584 through 38586; and 38723 through 38727. A1754001-25...................... 32795 through 32800; 33558 through 33569; 33779 through 33790; 34636 through 34653; 34968 through 34984; 35159 through 35176; 37903 through 37906; 38174 through 38193; 38502 through 38506; 38566 through 38575; and 38817 through 38836. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Figure 2 of Paragraph (c) of This AD--Affected Airplanes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Textron Aviation Inc. (type Muffler part No. certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) airplanes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A1754001-23...................... Model 172 Serial numbers (S/Ns) 17259224 and up; Model 172R S/Ns 80001 and up; and Model 172S S/Ns 8001 and up. A1754001-25...................... Model 172 S/Ns 17256513 and up; Model 172R S/Ns 80001 and up; 172S S/N 8001 and up; and Model 177 S/N 1770001 and up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 7820, Exhaust Noise Suppressor. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by occurrences of cracks or broken welds in the connecting weld of the muffler body to muffler cuff that may allow carbon monoxide (CO) exhaust fumes into the cockpit heating system. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the connecting weld of the muffler body to muffler cuff that may allow CO fumes to enter the cockpit heating system and possibly inhibit the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection of the Muffler (1) Within 5 hours time-in-service after February 21, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the affected muffler following the instructions listed in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii). (i) Using a vacuum cleaner with the hose attached to the blowing side of the vacuum (with the filter installed), attach the vacuum to the airplane tailpipe and seal securely. (ii) The vacuum will pressurize the system sufficiently for a soap solution to be brushed or applied from a spray bottle to the surface of the exhaust system. (iii) Inspect for evidence of breaches (leakage) in the system from cracks. (2) In lieu of doing the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, within 5 hours after February 21, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), you may remove the affected muffler following AWI Cessna 172 (Lycoming) Muffler Removal and Installation, Revision 01, January 17, 2017, and replace the affected muffler with an FAA- approved part that is not a muffler listed in figure 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD following the manufacturer's instructions. (3) If replacement specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD is done instead of the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, then paragraph (h)(3) of this AD is the only additional requirement of this AD. (h) Replacement of the Muffler (1) If evidence of breaches (leakage) is found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, remove the affected muffler following AWI Cessna 172 (Lycoming) Muffler Removal and Installation, Revision 01, January 17, 2017, and replace the affected muffler with an FAA-approved part that is not a muffler listed in figure 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD following the manufacturer's instructions. (2) If no evidence of breaches (leakage) is found during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, within the next 100 hours TIS after February 21, 2018 (the effective date of this AD) or at the next annual inspection after February 21, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, remove and replace the affected muffler with an FAA-approved part that is not a muffler listed in figure 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD as described in (h)(1). (3) After February 21, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), do not install on any airplane an affected muffler listed in figure 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requestedusing 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 ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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 Mark Grace, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Chicago ACO Branch, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018-4696; telephone: (847) 294-7377; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: mark.grace@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) AWI Cessna 172 (Lycoming) Muffler Removal and Installation, Revision 01, January 17, 2017. (ii) Reserved. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc. (AWI) 1045 Gemini Road, Eagan, Minnesota 55121; telephone: 651-379-9888; fax: 651-379-9889; internet: www.awi-ami.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.