2026-22-13: Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section

PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2026-17-10, Amendment 39-23454 (91 FR 55451, August 28, 2026); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-22-13 Lycoming Engines: Amendment 39-23515; Docket No. FAA-2026-13797; Project Identifier AD-2026-01052-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 24, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2026-17-10, Amendment 39-23454 (91 FR 55451, August 28, 2026). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) Model engines identified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD with an installed piston pin having part number (P/N) LW-13445 that was manufactured between January 7, 2021 to December 15, 2025. If the date of manufacture for the piston pin cannot be determined, this AD is applicable. If the current piston pins (P/N LW-13445) were installed prior to January 7, 2021, this AD is not applicable. Table 1 to Paragraph ( c )-Lycoming Model Engines Engine series Engine model O-235 -C1, -C1A, -C1B, -C1C, -C2A, -C2B, -C2C, -E1, -E1B, -E2A, -E2B, -F1, -F1B, -F2A, -F2B, -G1, -G1B, -G2A, -G2B, -H2C, -J2A, -J2B, -K2A, -K2B, -K2C, -L2A, -L2C, -M1, -M2C, -M3C, -N2A, -N2C, -P1, -P2A, -P2C, -P3C. O-320 -A1A, -A1B, -A2A, -A2B, -A2C, -A2D, -A3A, -A3B, -A3C, -B1A, -B1B, -B2A, -B2B, -B2C, -B2D, -B2E, -B3A, -B3B, -B3C, -D1A, -D1B, -D1C, -D1D, -D1F, -D2A, -D2B, -D2C, -D2F, -D2J, -D3G, -E1A, -E1B, -E1C, -E1F, -E1J, -E2A, -E2B, -E2C, -E2D, -E2F, -E2G, -E2H, -E3D, -E3H. IO-320 -B1A, -B1C, -B1D, -B1E, -B2A, -C1A,-C1B, -D1A, -D1B, -D1C, -E1A, -E1B, -E2A,-E2B. AIO-320 -A1B, -B1B, -C1B. LIO-320 -B1A, -C1A. AEIO-320 -D1B, -D2B, -E1A, -E1B, -E2A, -E2B. VO-435 -A1A (O-435-21), -A1B (O-435-6), -A1C (O-435-23, -23A, -23B, -23C), -A1D (O-435-6A), -A1E, -A1F, -B1A. TVO-435 -A1A, -B1A (O-435-25A), -B1B, -C1A, -D1A, -D1B, -E1A, -F1A, -G1A, -G1B. O-540 -J1A5D, -J1B5D, -J1C5D, -J1D5D, -J2A5D, -J2B5D, -J2C5D, -J2D5D, -J3A5, -J3A5D, -J3C5D, -L3C5D. IO-540 -AB1A5, -J4A5, -W1A5, -W1A5D, -W3A5D. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8530, Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports from Lycoming of metal particulates found in the engine oil during oil change and two non-detectable engine failures. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the piston pin. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine failure, loss of thrust control, in-flight shutdown, damage to the airplane, and loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is one of the following: (i) A piston pin that does not have P/N LW-13445. (ii) A piston pin having P/N LW-13445 that was not manufactured between January 7, 2021 to December 15, 2025. (2) For the purpose of this AD, an "affected piston pin" is a piston pin having P/N LW-13445 and one of the following: (i) A date of manufacture between January 7, 2021 to December 15, 2025. (ii) A date of manufacture that is unknown. (3) For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 engines are all affected engines, except engines with an installed piston pin having P/N LW-13445 with a manufacture date between March 23, 2023 to December 15, 2025, or an installed piston pin having P/N LW-13445 with a manufacture date that is unknown. (4) For the purpose of this AD, Group 2 engines are engines with an installed piston pin having P/N LW-13445 with a manufacture date between March 23, 2023 to December 15, 2025, or an installed piston pin having P/N LW-13445 with a manufacture date that is unknown. (h) Required Actions (1) For Group 1 and Group 2 engines, except for Group 2 engines with greater than or equal to 150 hours time in service (TIS) as of the effective date of this AD, within 5 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, perform an oil change and visual inspection of the engine oil filter, oil pressure screen, and oil suction screen for metal particulates. Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1): Guidance for engine oil filter, oil pressure screen, and oil suction screen inspection instructions and identification of metallic solids may be found in Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. (MSB) No. 480F, dated May 25, 2017. (2) If any metal particulates are found during the oil change and inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace any affected piston pin with a part eligible for installation in accordance with the Required Action of Lycoming MSB 667A, dated March 12, 2026 (Lycoming MSB 667A), as applicable to engine model. (3) For Group 1 engines with an installed piston pin with a manufacture date between January 07, 2021, to March 22, 2023, where metal particulates were not found during the oil change and inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the next maintenance event requiring the removal of a cylinder assembly with an affected piston pin, or at the next engine overhaul not to exceed the time between overhaul specified in Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009BF, dated July 20, 2026, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, replace any affected piston pin with a part eligible for installation in accordance with the Required Action of Lycoming MSB 667A, as applicable to engine model. (4) For Group 2 engines with greater than or equal to 150 hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD, before further flight, replace any affected piston pin with a part eligible for installation in accordance with the Required Action of Lycoming MSB 667A, as applicable to engine model. (5) For Group 2 engines with less than 150 hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD, within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD but before or upon reaching 150 total hours TIS since installation of the affected piston pins, whichever comes first after the effective date of this AD, replace any affected piston pin with a part eligible for installation in accordance with the Required Action of Lycoming MSB 667A, as applicable to engine model. (i) Installation Prohibition After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected piston pin as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD on any engine. (j) No Return of Parts Although the service material specifies returning certain parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements. (k) Special Flight Permits (1) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199199 for the replacement requirements of this AD provided no metal particulates are found during the inspection required by this AD. For Group 2 engines that are not affected by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, an oil change showing that no metal particulates are present would be required prior to issuing a special flight permit. (2) Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed for the visual inspection of the engine oil filter, oil pressure screen, and oil suction screen for metal particulates requirement of this AD. (l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, East Certification Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in14 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 East Certification Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD and email to: [email protected] . 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. (m) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ramanpreet Singh, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Ramanpreet Singh, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (516) 228-7300; email: [email protected]. (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (n)(4) of this AD. (n) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following material was approved for IBR November 24, 2026. (i) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009BF, dated July 20, 2026. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following material was approved for IBR on September 14, 2026. (91 FR 55451, August 28, 2026). (i) Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. (MSB) 667A, dated March 12, 2026. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For Lycoming material identified in this AD, contact Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; phone: (800) 258-3279; website: lycoming.com/contact/knowledge-base/publications. (6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (7) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on October 30, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-22785 Filed 11-5-26; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P