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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-1113; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00117-E;
Amendment 39-21161; AD 2020-14-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. This AD was
prompted by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and
failure of fuel injectors on these engines. This AD requires
replacement of the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 25,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner
Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711;
website: www.austroengine.at. You may view this service information 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 781-238-7759. It is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1113.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1113; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199; email: Mehdi.Lamnyi@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Austro Engine GmbH
model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16014). The NPRM was prompted
by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and failure of fuel
injectors on these engines. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of
the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected Austro Engine GmbH
model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2019-0041, dated February 25, 2019 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these
products. The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks for the Austro
Engine E4 and E4P engines, which are approved by EASA, are currently
defined and published in the Austro Engine MM, Chapter 04. These
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness.
Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe
condition.
Austro Engine recently revised the ALS, introducing life limit for
the engine timing chain and for the fuel injectors. For the reason
described above, this [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the actions
specified in the ALS.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1113.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No.
MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3, dated January 8, 2019. The MSB describes
procedures for replacing the fuel injectors. This service information
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified
in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Austro Engine Maintenance Manual (MM) Temporary
Revision (TR) MM-TR-MDC-E4-454, dated October 3, 2018. The MM TR
updates the time limits for the fuel injectors and timing chain and
describes procedures for updating the Airworthiness Limitation Section
in the existing approved MM.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 263 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Replace the timing chain |
2.5 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $212.50 |
$2,980
|
$3,192.50
|
$839,627.50
|
| Replace the fuel injectors |
2.5 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $212.50 |
2,590
|
2,802.50
|
737,057.50
|
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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