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SERVICE
INSTRUCTION
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DATE: July 18, 2017 Service Instruction No. 1285F
(Supersedes Service Instruction No. 1285E)
Engineering Aspects are
FAA-Approved
SUBJECT: Non-Destructive Testing of Lycoming Engine Parts
MODELS AFFECTED: All Lycoming engines
TIME OF COMPLIANCE: During engine overhaul or as required
REASON FOR REVISION: Revised NOTICE on page 2 regarding grit blast medium
NOTICE: Incomplete review of all the information in this document can cause errors. Read the entire
Service Instruction to make sure you have a complete understanding of the requirements.
This Service Instruction includes a directive advising not to use visible dye in Non-Destructive Testing
(NDT) because it can adversely affect future results of NDT. This Service Instruction also identifies the
necessary personnel qualifications and inspection procedure requirements for NDT to be done on Lycoming
engine components. The purpose of the NDT is to identify the presence or potential of structural failures in
an engine component. Non-destructive testing within the context of this Service Instruction includes
Magnetic Particle Inspection and Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection.
The Magnetic Particle Inspection is an NDT process used for detection of discontinuities on the surface
and/or sub-surface of ferroelectric materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their alloys.
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection is used to identify casting, forging and welding surface defects such as
hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.
Requirements for NDT Personnel
Personnel who complete the Magnetic Particle and Fluorescent Penetrant Inspections on Lycoming engine
components must be qualified and certified to a written procedure in accordance with NAS-410,
Certification and Qualification of NDT personnel. Also, personnel who make the “accept” or “reject”
decisions during the inspections must be qualified and certified to at least Level II in accordance with NAS-
410.
Inspection Procedure Requirements
1. There must be written procedures for the Magnetic Particle Inspection and the Fluorescent Penetrant
Inspection that have been approved by someone who is qualified and certified to Level III in
accordance with NAS-410.
ISSUED REVISED PAGE NO. REVISION
MO DAY YEAR MO DAY YEAR
1 of 3 F
03 05 93 07 18 17
©2017 Avco Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Lycoming Engines is a division of Avco Corporation.
2. The procedures must identify:
Information requirements
Materials and equipment to be used
Instructions/steps to complete the inspection based on technique
Processing parameters
NOTICE: All procedure steps, process verification, materials, processing parameters, and techniques
must comply with the requirements in ASTM E 1444 for the Magnetic Particle Inspection
and ASTM E 1417 for the Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection.
3. The NDT Level III approved technique for the Magnetic Particle Inspection must be able to identify
the smallest indication regardless of its orientation to the magnetic flux field. This technique must
establish at least two magnetic fields, perpendicular to one another in a plane parallel to the surface
examined. The technique must include all applicable processing parameters, including acceptance
criteria, for correct inspection of the engine parts.
4. The Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection must use an NDT Level III approved technique that includes
all processing parameters, including acceptance criteria for correct inspection of the engine parts.
Before NDT, Clean the Components
1. Remove all traces of:
Paint
Gasket materials
Oil
Grease
Dirt
Corrosion
Smeared metal
Plating
Chemical residues
2. Use any of the following cleaning methods as long as it is not harmful to the component or its
intended function:
Vapor degreasing
Solvent degreasing
Ultrasonic cleaning
Chemical cleaning
Aqueous-based cleaning
Mechanical cleaning (such as grit blasting)
NOTICE: Grit blasting without etching can be an acceptable cleaning method if it can be
demonstrated that a sufficiently fine abrasive (150 grit or finer) will not cause peening and
can be removed by a detergent or alkaline cleaner.
Etching of the area(s) to be examined is to be done prior to inspection when evidence exists
that previous cleaning, surface treatments, or service usage has produced a surface
condition that degrades the effectiveness of the penetrant examination.
ISSUED REVISED PAGE NO. REVISION
MO DAY YEAR MO DAY YEAR S.I. 1285
2 of 3 F
03 05 93 07 18 17
Inspection Guidelines
1. The inspections must be done per established acceptance criteria to ensure component conformance.
2. A 3 power to 10 power magnifying glass must be used to evaluate indications.
3. Do not use visible dye for these inspections, because visible dye penetrant materials have an
adverse effect on future penetrant inspections, causing indications to be tightly closed and
therefore missed during future inspections.
4. If a Magnetic Particle Inspection is difficult to do on an odd-shaped part, the Fluorescent Penetrant
Inspection can be used if the acceptance criteria are concerned about surface indications only.
ISSUED REVISED PAGE NO. REVISION
MO DAY YEAR MO DAY YEAR S.I. 1285
3 of 3 F
03 05 93 07 18 17