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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1412; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01588-E;
Amendment 39-22562; AD 2023-20-03]
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
certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. This AD is
prompted by reports of piston failures and the determination that
certain batches of pistons were manufactured with a dimensional
deviation in the piston pin bore and piston diameter. This AD requires
repetitive engine oil analysis for aluminum content outside the
acceptable limits and, if necessary, replacement of the pistons, piston
rings, con-rods assembly, and crankcase or, as an alternative,
replacement of the engine core. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 11, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 11,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No.FAA-2023-1412; 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 Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner
Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; website: 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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1412.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
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 Austro Engine
GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on July 14, 2023 (88 FR 45118). The NPRM was prompted by
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0240R1, dated
December 15, 2022 (referred to after this as the MCAI), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union. The MCAI states that a manufacturer investigation into reports
of piston failures determined that certain batches of pistons were
manufactured with a dimensional deviation in the piston pin bore and in
the piston diameter, which could cause piston failure, with consequent
loss of oil, loss of engine power, and reduced control of the airplane.
To address the unsafe condition, EASA issued EASA AD 2022-0240, dated
December 6, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0240), to specify repetitive oil
analyses and replacement of the pistons, piston rings, con-rods
assembly, and crankcase, or as an alternative, replacement of the
engine core. EASA AD 2022-0240 also prohibited release to service of an
airplane until receipt of the results for each oil analysis.
Since EASA AD 2022-0240 was issued, the manufacturer determined
that aluminum levels outside of the acceptable limits would be found
during the first oil analysis, and are unlikely to be found during
subsequent oil analyses. As a result, EASA revised
EASA AD 2022-0240 and issued the MCAI to allow release to service of
airplanes for a limited number of flight hours immediately after the
second and subsequent oil samples are taken for analyses.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive
engine oil analysis for aluminum content outside the acceptable limits
and, if necessary, replacement of the pistons, piston rings, con-rods
assembly, and crankcase, or as an alternative, replacement of the
engine core. 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-2023-1412.
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 Austro Engine GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
MSB-E4-039/1, Revision 1, dated April 24, 2023, which specifies
procedures for oil analysis and replacement of the pistons, piston
rings, con-rods assembly, crankcase, and engine core.
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 357 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
|
| Oil Analysis |
.25 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $21.25 |
$0
|
$21.25
|
$7,586.25
|
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Replace engine core |
50 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $4,250 |
$15,524
|
$19,774
|
| Replace pistons, piston rings,
and con-rods assembly |
60 work-hours x 85 per hour =
5,100 |
2,216
|
7,316
|
| Replace pistons, piston rings,
con-rods assembly, and crankcase |
70 work-hours x 85 per hour =
5,950 |
4,141
|
10,091
|
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:
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