[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 75 (Friday, April 17, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21336-21339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08118]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0222; Project Identifier AD-2019-00116-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies, 
Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Continental Motors, Inc.) 
Reciprocating 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 all Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, 
GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-
520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, 
IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, 
TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-
550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines 
with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly installed. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured 
cross-flow cylinder assemblies. This proposed AD would require visual 
inspection and, depending on the results of the inspection, 
modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. The 
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 2039

[[Page 21337]]

South Broad Street, Mobile, Alabama 36615, United States; phone: 251-
436-8299; website: http://www.continentalmotors.aero. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

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-2020-
0222; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Boyce Jones, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: 404-474-5535; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

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-2020-0222; 
Project Identifier AD-2019-00116-E'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information 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 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    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 should be sent to Boyce Jones, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA received reports of six in-flight engine failures due to 
fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies, all of which resulted in the 
loss of oil pressure, loss of engine power, and forced landings. 
Analysis by the manufacturer identified that the casting vendor 
incorporated a new production tooling that created casting material 
build-up on the radius edge of the cross-flow cylinder assemblies. 
Fracture initiation began at the radius edge of cross-flow cylinder 
assembly. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of 
the engine, in-flight shutdown, and forced landing.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin (MSB) 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020. The 
MSB describes procedures for inspection, modification, or replacement 
of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. 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.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require visual inspection of the cross-flow 
cylinder assembly and, depending on the results of the visual 
inspection, modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 4,000 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection of the cross-flow     2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170        $680,000
 cylinder assembly.                      hour = $170.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly that 
would be required based on the results of the proposed visual 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of cross-flow 
cylinder assemblies that might need this modification or replacement.

[[Page 21338]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly.......  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85              $0             $85
Replace the cross-flow cylinder assembly......  11.5 work-hours x $85 per hour =        1,933.28        2,910.78
                                                 $977.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in 
our cost estimate.

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 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 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 (AD):

Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Continental Motors, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2020-
0222; Project Identifier AD-2019-00116-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by June 1, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. 
(Type Certificate previously held by Continental Motors, Inc.) model 
GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, 
GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, 
IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-
B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, 
TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating 
aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines, originally manufactured, rebuilt, 
or modified with a cross-flow cylinder assembly replacement, on or 
after November 1, 2014, and with a cross-flow cylinder assembly, 
part number (P/N) 658538, 658540, 658542, 658591, 658595, 658613, 
658624, 658539, 658541, 658590, 658594, 658603, 658623, or 658630, 
installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8530, Reciprocating 
Cylinder Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due 
to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the engine. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in failure of the engine, in-flight 
shutdown, and forced landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) If the engine has fewer than 500 engine operating hours on 
the effective date of this AD, no later than the next scheduled 100-
hour/annual inspection after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly in 
accordance with paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of 
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
(MSB) 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020 (``Continental 
Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B'').
    (i) If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify 
the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.4 
through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace 
Technologies MSB 18-08B; or
    (ii) If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, 
remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.
    (2) If the engine has 500 engine operating hours or greater on 
the effective date of this AD, at the next maintenance event after 
the effective date of this AD, not to exceed 50 engine operating 
hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual 
inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with 
paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of Continental 
Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B.
    (i) If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify 
the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.4 
through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace 
Technologies MSB 18-08B; or
    (ii) If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, 
remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part 
eligible for installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any cross-
flow cylinder assembly having a P/N identified in paragraph (c) of 
this AD on any affected engine unless the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly has been visually inspected and modified in accordance with 
paragraph III, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace 
Technologies MSB18-08B.

[[Page 21339]]

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    The reporting requirement in paragraph III, Action Required, of 
Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B is not required by this 
AD.

(j) Definition

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, ``the next maintenance event'' 
is the next scheduled 100-hour/annual inspection, overhaul, or the 
next time the airplane enters maintenance for a non-engine issue, 
whichever occurs first.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, ``modify the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly'' is the removal of the casting material build-up by 
blending the cross-flow cylinder assembly radius corner.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the visual inspection and modification 
that is required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the inspection or 
modification was performed before the effective date of this AD 
using Continental Motors Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin 18-08, 
Revision A, dated January 11, 2019.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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 (m)(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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Boyce Jones, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: 404-474-5535; fax: 404-474-5606; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 2039 South Broad Street, 
Mobile, Alabama, 36615, United States; phone: 251-436-8299; website: 
http://www.continentalmotors.aero. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued on April 14, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08118 Filed 4-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P