Proposed Rule2023-11630
Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 2, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that applied to certain Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Continental) Model C-125, C145, GO-300, IO-360, IO-470, IO-520, IO- 550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360, and TSIO-520 series engines with a certain oil filter adapter installed. The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2022- 04-04. This action revises the NPRM by updating the applicability to include Continental model engines with certain oil filter adapters installed and updating the service information references. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden by expanding the applicability, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 106 (Friday, June 2, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36258-36261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11630]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 106 / Friday, June 2, 2023 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 36258]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1159; Project Identifier AD-2022-00692-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies,
Inc. Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that applied to certain Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc.
(Continental) Model C-125, C145, GO-300, IO-360, IO-470, IO-520, IO-
550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360, and TSIO-520 series engines with a certain
oil filter adapter installed. The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2022-
04-04. This action revises the NPRM by updating the applicability to
include Continental model engines with certain oil filter adapters
installed and updating the service information references. The FAA is
proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an
additional burden by expanding the applicability, the agency is
requesting comments on this SNPRM.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by July 17, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1159; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, this SNPRM,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this SNPRM, contact
Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC, 2208 Air Park Drive, Burlington, NC
27215; phone: (800) 822-3200; website: <a href="http://tempestplus.com">tempestplus.com</a>.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Hanlin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, East Certification Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5584; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4a73670b1905670b1e060b0905670b0e390a2c2b2b642d253c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c55412d3f23412d38202d2f23412d281f2c0a0d0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1159;
Project Identifier AD-2022-00692-E'' at the beginning of your comments.
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may again revise this proposal because of those
comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this SNPRM contain
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this SNPRM, it is important that you clearly designate
the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission
containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed
in the public docket of this SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to George Hanlin, Aviation Safety Engineer, East Certification
Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that
would apply to certain Continental Model C-125-1, C-125-2, C145-2,
C145-2H, GO-300-A, GO-300-B, GO-300-C, GO-300-D, GO-300-E, GO-300-F,
IO-360-C, IO-360-D, IO-360-DB, IO-360-H, IO-360-HB, IO-360-K, IO-360-
KB, IO-470-C, IO-470-D, IO-470-H, IO-470-J, IO-470-K, IO-470-L, IO-470-
M, IO-470-N, IO-470-S, IO-470-U, IO-470-V, IO-520-A, IO-520-D, IO-520-
F, IO-520-J, IO-520-K, IO-520-L, IO-550-D, IO-550-E, IO-550-F, O-300-A,
O-300-B, O-300-C, O-300-D, O-300-E, O-470-A, O-470-B, O-470-G, O-470-J,
O-470-K, O-470-L, O-470-M, O-470-N, O-470-R, O-470-S, O-470-U, O-470-
11, O-470-15, TSIO-360-E, TSIO-360-EB, TSIO-360-F, TSIO-360-FB, TSIO-
360-GB, TSIO-360-LB, TSIO-360-MB, TSIO-360-SB, TSIO-470-C, TSIO-520-C,
TSIO-520-G, and TSIO-520-H engines with a certain oil filter adapter
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 14,
2022 (87 FR 56286). The NPRM was prompted by
[[Page 36259]]
reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil
starvation. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to supersede and retain
certain requirements of AD 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 (87 FR 9435,
February 22, 2022). In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to require
replacing the oil filter adapter fiber gasket (fiber gasket) with an
oil filter adapter copper gasket (copper gasket) or a stainless steel
embedded within polytetrafluoroethylene gasket (stainless steel PTFE
gasket). In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to revise the applicability
by adding and removing certain model engines and revise the special
flight permit paragraph by expanding the limitations. In the NPRM, the
FAA also proposed to update the required actions by adding an
additional part-numbered stainless steel PTFE gasket as a replacement
part.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, the FAA received a comment from an
individual commenter noting that certain engine models were missing
from the NPRM's applicability. The commenter also specified that the
referenced service information in the NPRM has been revised by the
manufacturer. In response to this comment, the FAA determined that
additional model engines are affected by the unsafe condition and, as a
result, should be added to the applicability paragraph of the NPRM. The
FAA also discovered that certain model engines, with permold type
crankcases, were inadvertently included in the applicability paragraph
of the NPRM. Therefore, the FAA revised the applicability of this
proposed AD to include Continental model engines equipped with an F&M
Enterprises, Inc. (F&M) or a Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus)
oil filter adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC. In addition, the manufacturer has
published revised service information, which includes the alternative
use of a stainless steel PTFE gasket, part number (P/N) ST07, as a
replacement part.
Comments
The following discussion presents the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAA's response.
Revision to the Applicability
An individual commenter noted that paragraph (c), Applicability, of
the NPRM, excluded Continental Model IO-360-G, IO-360-J, IO-360-JB, IO-
360-LB, IO-470-E, and IO-470-F engines. The commenter also noted that a
review of Continental's online Illustrated Parts Catalog shows that
these model engines use the same accessory housing as other IO-360
model engines, which can accommodate a Stratus oil filter adapter that
is included in the NPRM.
The FAA agrees and has revised paragraph (c), Applicability, of
this proposed AD to include any Continental model engine equipped with
an F&M or a Stratus oil filter adapter installed per STC SE8409SW,
SE09356SC, or SE10348SC.
Request To Reference Revised Service Information
An individual commenter stated that the Stratus Tool Technologies
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001 Rev B has been updated to Rev C,
which allows the use of a stainless steel PTFE gasket, P/N ST07. The
FAA infers that the commenter is requesting that this proposed AD be
revised to reference Stratus Tool Technologies Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB-001 Rev C, dated June 16, 2022 (the NPRM refers to Stratus
Tool Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001 Rev B, dated June
17, 2021).
The FAA agrees and has revised this proposed AD to include
reference to Stratus Tool Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-
001 Rev C, dated June 16, 2022, and added paragraph (i), Credit for
Previous Actions, which would provide credit for the replacement of a
fiber gasket with a copper gasket in accordance with Stratus Tool
Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001 Rev B, dated June 17,
2021.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD after determining the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of
the same type design. Certain changes described above expand the scope
of the NPRM. As a result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period
to provide additional opportunity for the public to comment on this
SNPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Stratus Tool Technologies Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB-001 Rev C, dated June 16, 2022. This service information
specifies procedures for removing a fiber gasket and replacing it with
a copper gasket, P/N AN900-28 or P/N AN900-29, or a stainless steel
PTFE gasket, P/N ST07, as an improved alternative to the copper gasket.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2022-04-
04. This proposed AD would require replacing the fiber gasket with a
copper or stainless steel PTFE gasket. This proposed AD would also
revise the applicability to include Continental model engines equipped
with an F&M or a Stratus oil filter adapter installed per STC SE8409SW,
SE09356SC, or SE10348SC in accordance with the service information
previously described.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 6,300 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fiber gasket with copper 2.5 work-hours x $85 per $34 $246.50 $1,552,950
gasket or stainless steel PTFE gasket. hour = $212.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 36260]]
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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in, 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 (87
FR 9435, February 22, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2022-1159;
Project Identifier AD-2022-00692-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 17, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 (87 FR 9435,
February 22, 2022).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc.
(Continental) model engines equipped with an F&M Enterprises, Inc.
(F&M) or a Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC (Stratus) oil filter
adapter installed per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW,
SE09356SC, or SE10348SC.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): These F&M and Stratus oil filter
adapters are known to be installed on Continental Model C-125, C-
145, GO-300, IO-360, IO-470, IO-520, IO-550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360,
and TSIO-520 series engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8550, Reciprocating
Engine Oil System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the
result of power loss due to oil starvation. The FAA is issuing this
AD to prevent loss of engine power. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight
shutdown, and loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Before accumulating 50 flight hours after the effective date of
this AD or at the next scheduled oil change after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove any F&M or Stratus oil
filter adapter fiber gasket from service and replace it with an oil
filter adapter copper gasket, part number (P/N) AN900-28 or P/N
AN900-29, or a stainless steel polytetrafluoroethylene gasket, P/N
ST07, as applicable, in accordance with the Compliance Instructions,
paragraph 6., pages 6 through 10 (including all detailed
instructions for Figure 5 through Figure 16), of Stratus Tool
Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001 Rev C, dated June 16,
2022.
(h) Installation Prohibition
After the effective date of this AD, do not install an F&M or a
Stratus oil filter adapter fiber gasket on any affected engine.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of
this AD using Stratus Tool Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin
SB-001 Rev B, dated June 17, 2021, which was previously approved for
IBR on March 29, 2022 (87 FR 9435, February 22, 2022), but is not
incorporated by reference in this AD.
(j) Special Flight Permit
A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to permit a one-time non-revenue ferry flight to
operate the airplane to the nearest location where the maintenance
action can be performed provided that the engine oil pressure and
engine oil temperatures are in their allowable ranges and there is
no noticeable increase in engine noise. This flight must be
performed with no passengers on board.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, East Certification Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(3) AMOCs approved for AD 2022-04-04 (87 FR 9435, February 22,
2022) are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this
AD.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact George Hanlin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, East Certification Branch, FAA, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5584;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffc6d2beacb0d2beabb3bebcb0d2bebb8cbf999e9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f46523e2c30523e2b333e3c30523e3b0c3f191e1e51181009">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (m)(4) and (5) of this AD.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Stratus Tool Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001
Rev C, dated June 16, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC, 2208 Air Park Drive, Burlington, NC
27215; phone: (800) 822-3200; website: <a href="http://tempestplus.com">tempestplus.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200
District
[[Page 36261]]
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bddbcf93d4d3cecdd8dec9d4d2d3fdd3dccfdc93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2543570b4c4b56554046514c4a4b654b4457440b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on May 25, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11630 Filed 6-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 2, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.