Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines
| Published date | 21 July 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 43987 |
| Record Number | 2020-15606 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 140 (Tuesday, July 21, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 21, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43987-43989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15606]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 140 / Tuesday, July 21, 2020 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 43987]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-1113; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00117-E;
Amendment 39-21161; AD 2020-14-07]
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 all
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. This AD was
prompted by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and
failure of fuel injectors on these engines. This AD requires
replacement of the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 25,
2020.
ADDRESSES: 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; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711;
website: www.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 781-238-7759. It is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1113.
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-2019-
1113; 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
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 Austro Engine GmbH
model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16014). The NPRM was prompted
by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and failure of fuel
injectors on these engines. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of
the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected Austro Engine GmbH
model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2019-0041, dated February 25, 2019 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these
products. The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks for the Austro
Engine E4 and E4P engines, which are approved by EASA, are currently
defined and published in the Austro Engine MM, Chapter 04. These
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness.
Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe
condition.
Austro Engine recently revised the ALS, introducing life limit for
the engine timing chain and for the fuel injectors. For the reason
described above, this [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the actions
specified in the ALS.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1113.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No.
MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3, dated January 8, 2019. The MSB describes
procedures for replacing the fuel injectors. 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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Austro Engine Maintenance Manual (MM) Temporary
Revision (TR) MM-TR-MDC-E4-454, dated October 3, 2018. The MM TR
updates the time limits for the fuel injectors and timing chain and
describes procedures for updating the Airworthiness Limitation Section
in the existing approved MM.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 263 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 43988]]
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace the timing chain.............. 2.5 work-hours x $85 per $2,980 $3,192.50 $839,627.50
hour = $212.50.
Replace the fuel injectors............ 2.5 work-hours x $85 per 2,590 2,802.50 737,057.50
hour = $212.50.
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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 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.
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
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 (AD):
2020-14-07 Austro Engine GmbH: Amendment 39-21161; Docket No. FAA-
2019-1113; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00117-E.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective August 25, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P diesel
piston engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7322, Fuel Control/
Reciprocating Engines and Code 8520, Reciprocating Engine Power
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear of the
timing chain and failure of fuel injectors on the affected engines.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the timing chain
and fuel injectors. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in loss of engine thrust control 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 engines that have had a windmill restart before the
effective date of this AD or for engines with a timing chain in
which it cannot be determined if the engine has experienced any
windmilling, after the effective date of this AD, remove the timing
chain and replace with a part eligible for installation as follows,
whichever occurs later:
(i) Before the timing chain exceeds 900 flight hours (FHs) since
new, or;
(ii) Within 100 FHs after the windmilling restart, or;
(iii) Before further flight.
(2) For engines that have a windmill restart after the effective
date of this AD, remove the timing chain before it exceeds 900 FHs
since new or within 100 FHs after the windmilling restart, whichever
occurs later, and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(3) Remove the fuel injectors and replace with parts eligible
for installation before they exceed 900 FHs since new or before
further flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(i) Use Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 2.1, of Austro
Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3,
dated January 8, 2019, to perform the required actions in paragraph
(g)(3) of this AD.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) Thereafter, repeat the replacement of the fuel injectors
required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD at intervals not exceeding
900 FHs since new.
(h) Exception to Paragraph (g)(3)(i)
The tagging and returning of the removed fuel injectors to the
manufacturer, referenced in the Accomplishment/Instructions,
paragraph 2.1, of Austro Engine MSB No. MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3,
dated January 8, 2019, are not required by this AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the replacement of the timing chain that
is required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you performed this
replacement before the effective date of this AD using Austro Engine
MSB No. MSB-E4-017/2, Revision 2, dated December 2, 2016.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO 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
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Mehdi Lamnyi,
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199;
email: [email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2019-0041, dated February 25, 2019, for more information. You
[[Page 43989]]
may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-1113.
(l) 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) Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-025,
Rev. No. 3, dated January 8, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Austro Engine GmbH service information identified in
this AD, contact Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-
2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria; phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622
23000-2711; website: www.austroengine.at.
(4) You may view this service information at 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.
(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: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on July 9, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-15606 Filed 7-20-20; 8:45 am]
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