AOPA says the FAA has blindsided AOPA, ECi, and the general aviation community with a proposed Airworthiness Directive on a certain type of aftermarket connecting rod used in Lycoming engines. AOPAs regulatory and certification expert, Luis Gutierrez, said the FAA had promised full consultation with AOPA and other industry stakeholders before proposing ADs but forged ahead on this one despite contrary evidence. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, issued in October, could affect up to 2,800 engines overhauled and repaired using ECi connecting rods. The NPRM was issued in response to a single engine failure that both AOPA and the manufacturer claim may have been caused or contributed to by an oil-system blockage. “AOPA has found no evidence that shows the engine connecting rods fail to meet safe, FAA-approved limits.”
Whats more, AOPA claims the FAA used data based on automotive engines to reach the conclusion that an AD was necessary. Gutierrez said air-cooled aircraft engines and liquid-cooled car engines are different animals and the standards of one should not be applied to the other without first verifying the data applies.
Lycoming Engines’ own OEM connecting rods are not affected by the proposed Airworthiness Directive.
AOPA Urges Cancellation of Rod AD
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has proposed an Airworthiness Directive (AD) on ECi aftermarket connecting rods used in Lycoming engines, potentially affecting up to 2,800 aircraft.
- AOPA and ECi strongly oppose the AD, asserting the FAA blindsided stakeholders, failed to consult, and issued the NPRM based on a single engine failure possibly due to an oil-system blockage.
- AOPA further argues the FAA used inappropriate automotive engine data for aircraft applications and found no evidence that the connecting rods fail to meet safe, FAA-approved limits.
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