DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0222; Project Identifier AD-2019-00116-E;
Amendment 39-21195; AD 2020-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies,
Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Continental Motors, Inc.)
Reciprocating 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
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-
D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO-
550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R,
TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-
G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and
TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines with a
certain cross-flow cylinder assembly installed. This AD was prompted by
reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow
cylinder assemblies. This AD requires visual inspection and, depending
on the results of the inspection, modification or replacement of the
cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 21, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 2039 South Broad
Street, Mobile, Alabama 36615; phone: 251-436-8299; website: http://www.continentalmotors.aero. 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-2020-0222.

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-2020-
0222; 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, 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: Boyce Jones, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia
30337; phone: 404-474-5535; fax: 404-474-5606; email:
boyce.jones@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 Continental
Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H,
GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-
550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-
550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K,
TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and TSIOF-550-P
reciprocating AvGas engines with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2020
(85 FR 21336). The NPRM was prompted by reports of in-flight engine
failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. The NPRM
proposed to require visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder
assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, modification
or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comment received
on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Revise Compliance

An individual commenter requested that the FAA revise the beginning
of paragraph (g)(2), Required Actions, of this AD from ``If the engine
has 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective date of this
AD . . .'' to ``If the engine has 500 engine operating hours or greater
after the effective date of this AD . . .'' The commenter reasoned that
the AD, as written, could allow aircraft operated exclusively under 14
CFR part 91 with fewer than 500 engine operating hours on the effective
date of the AD to fly for an unlimited number of engine operating hours
until the next annual inspection, as the 100-hour inspection is not
required for part 91 operations.
The FAA partially agrees. The FAA agrees that part 91 operators may
fly their aircraft for an unlimited number of engine operating hours
between annual inspections. Historically, the typical part 91 operator
flies fewer than 100 engine operating hours per year, however. The FAA
has reviewed the specific scenario outlined by the commenter and
evaluated it against the associated risk assessment. The FAA disagrees
with the commenter's request to revise the language in paragraph
(g)(2), Required Actions, of this AD. Any aircraft with an affected
engine, regardless of how they are being operated, must comply within
the compliance times contained in the Required Actions section of this
AD. All affected engines with fewer than 500 engine operating hours on
the effective date of this AD must perform the visual inspection of the
cross-flow cylinder assembly at the next 100-hour inspection or the
next annual inspection, depending on aircraft operation. All affected
engines with 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective
date of this AD must perform the visual inspection of the cross-flow
cylinder assembly at the next maintenance event, not to exceed 50
engine operating hours, after the effective date of the AD. The FAA did
not change this AD.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020. The
MSB describes procedures for inspection, modification, or replacement
of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4,000 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly that
would be required based on the results of the visual inspection. The
FAA has no way of determining the number of cross-flow cylinder
assemblies that might need this modification or replacement:

On-Condition Costs

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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):