DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1413; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00077-E;
Amendment 39-22302; AD 2023-01-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH
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
certain Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE
125-02-114 model reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by
manufacturer reports of fractured main bearing studs. This AD requires
the removal and replacement of certain main bearing studs. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 9,
2023.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1413; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14,
09356 Sankt Egidien, Germany; phone: +49 37204 696 0; email:
support@continentaldiesel.com; website: continentaldiesel.com.
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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1413.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Continental
Aerospace Technologies GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 model
reciprocating engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
November 09, 2022 (87 FR 67572). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0022,
dated January 18, 2021, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''). The MCAI
states that the manufacturer has received reports of fractured main
bearing studs. A fractured main bearing stud provides improper support
to the crankshaft and increases crankshaft clearance, resulting in
crankshaft sensor failures and potential crankshaft fracture. The
manufacturer is investigating the root cause of main bearing stud
failures. To address this unsafe condition, Continental Aerospace
Technologies GmbH published service information to identify the serial
numbers (S/Ns) of the affected engines and specify procedures for
replacement of certain main bearing studs. The MCAI specifies actions
to replace main bearing studs and specifies certain main bearing studs
that are not to be installed onto any engine. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in engine in-flight shutdown and forced
landing, damage to the airplane, and injury to the occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the removal of certain
main bearing studs from service and replacement with parts eligible for
installation. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of
certain main bearing studs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1413.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH Service
Bulletin (SB) CG 125-1027 P1, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2021. This
service information identifies the S/Ns of the affected engines and
specifies procedures for replacing the main bearing studs. The FAA also
reviewed Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH Repair Instruction RI-
05-0017-04, Revision 4, dated April 1, 2021. This service information
provides instructions for replacing the main bearing studs.
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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 92 engines installed on
aircraft of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.

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) 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.

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: