Proposed Rule2023-14751
Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines
Primary source
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Published
July 14, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. This proposed AD was 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 proposed AD would require 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 proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45118-45121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14751]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. This proposed
AD was 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 proposed AD
would require 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 proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by August 28, 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> 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), 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 NPRM, contact
Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner Neustadt,
Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; website: austroengine.at.
<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: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (781) 238-7146; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#debcbfacbcbfacbff0bdbfabb8b7bbb2ba9eb8bfbff0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ec8e8d9e8e8d9e8dc28f8d998a85898088ac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1412; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01588-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 amend
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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
[[Page 45119]]
should be sent to Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2022-0240R1, dated December 15, 2022 (referred to after this as
the MCAI), to address an unsafe condition on Austro Engine GmbH Model
E4 and E4P engines. 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, 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.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1412.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Austro Engine GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin 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.
FAA's Determination
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 and service information described above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 357 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Oil Analysis....................... .25 work-hours x $85 per $0 $21.25 $7,586.25
hour = $21.25.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace engine core........................... 50 work-hours x $85 per hour = $15,524 $19,774
$4,250.
Replace pistons, piston rings, and con-rods 60 work-hours x $85 per hour = 2,216 7,316
assembly. $5,100.
Replace pistons, piston rings, con-rods 70 work-hours x $85 per hour = 4,141 10,091
assembly, and crankcase. $5,950.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed 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.
[[Page 45120]]
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) 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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Austro Engine GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2023-1412; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01588-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 28, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines
with a serial number listed in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Austro
Engine GMBH Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB-E4-039/1, Revision 1,
dated April 24, 2023 (MSB-E4-039/1).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Codes 8530, Reciprocating
Engine Cylinder Section; 8550, Reciprocating Engine Oil System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was 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.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent piston failure. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of oil, loss of
engine power, and reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For all affected engines, within the applicable compliance
times specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, perform
an oil analysis in accordance with paragraph 2., Technical Details,
Engine Oil Analysis of MSB-E4-039/1, and do not return the engine to
service until the results of the oil analysis have been determined.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)--Oil Analysis for All Affected Engines
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Engine group Compliance time Interval
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Group 1 and Group 3......... Within 15 flight Before exceeding 50
hours (FHs) from FHs since last oil
the effective date analysis.
of this AD.
Group 2 and Group 4......... Within 25 FHs from Before exceeding 100
the effective date FHs since last oil
of this AD. analysis.
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(2) Thereafter, repeat the oil analysis required by paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD before exceeding the applicable interval specified
in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(3) Following each repetitive oil analysis, the engine may be
returned to service for no more than the applicable interval
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, until receipt
of the oil analysis result.
(4) If the result of any oil analysis required by paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD indicates the aluminum content of the oil is
greater than the limit specified in paragraph 2., Technical Details,
Engine Oil Analysis, Table 5--Oil check analysis--Aluminum PPM
allowable of MSB-E4-039/1, before further flight, replace the
pistons, piston rings, con-rods assembly, and crankcase, or replace
the engine core in accordance with paragraph 2., Technical Details,
Engine core replacement; or Pistons, piston rings, crankcase and
con-rod assy replacement; as applicable, of MSB-E4-039/1.
(5) For Group 3 and Group 4 engines, within the applicable
compliance times specified in Table 2 to paragraph (g)(5) of this
AD, replace the pistons, piston rings, and con-rods assembly, or
replace the engine core in accordance with paragraph 2., Technical
Details, Engine core replacement; or Pistons, piston rings and con-
rod assy replacement, as applicable, of MSB-E4-039/1.
Table 2 to Paragraph (g)(5)--Replacement for Groups 3 and 4 Engines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine group Compliance time
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Group 3........................... Before exceeding 900 FHs since new,
or within 15 FHs after the
effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
Group 4........................... Before exceeding 1,000 FHs since
new, or within 25 FHs after the
effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(5): FHs since new indicated in Table 2
to paragraph (g)(5) of this AD are FHs accumulated by the engine
since first installation on an airplane or since last overhaul as of
the effective date of this AD.
(h) Terminating Action
(1) Replacement of the pistons, piston rings, con-rods assembly,
and crankcase, or replacement of the engine core, as specified in
paragraph (g)(4) of this AD, constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive oil analysis required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(2) Replacement of the pistons, piston rings, and con-rods
assembly, or replacement of the engine core, as specified in
paragraph (g)(5) of this AD, constitutes terminating
[[Page 45121]]
action for the repetitive oil analysis required by paragraph (g)(2)
of this AD.
(i) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 engines are engines
having a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of MSB-E4-039/1.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, Group 2 engines are engines
having an S/N listed in Table 2 of MSB-E4-039/1.
(3) For the purpose of this AD, Group 3 engines are engines
having an S/N listed in Table 3 of MSB-E4-039/1.
(4) For the purpose of this AD, Group 4 engines are engines
having an S/N listed in Table 4 of MSB-E4-039/1.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph
(g)(1), (4), or (5) of this AD, if you performed those actions
before the effective date of this AD using Austro Engine Mandatory
Service Bulletin MSB-E4-039/0, dated October 24, 2022.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation 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 office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d1ded5bdd1d4bdd1dddfd3d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43020d066e02076e020e0c00032522226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(l) Additional Information
(1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0240R1, dated December 15, 2022, for related information. This
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1412.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara
Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8dad9cadad9cad996dbd9cdded1ddd4dcf8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="24464556464556450a474551424d414840644245450a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) Austro Engine GMBH Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB-E4-039/1,
Revision 1, dated April 24, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner
Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; website: austroengine.at.
(4) 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.
(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#abcdd985c2c5d8dbcec8dfc2c4c5ebc5cad9ca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86e0f4a8efe8f5f6e3e5f2efe9e8c6e8e7f4e7a8e1e9f0">[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 July 7, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14751 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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