[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 159 (Monday, August 17, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49954-49957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17874]


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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; 
Amendment 39-21195; AD 2020-16-11]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD was prompted by 
reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow 
cylinder assemblies. This AD requires visual inspection and, depending 
on the results of the inspection, modification or replacement of the 
cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 21, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 2039 South Broad 
Street, Mobile, Alabama 36615; phone: 251-436-8299; website: http://www.continentalmotors.aero. 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-2020-0222.

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 final rule, 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: 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:

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 Continental 
Aerospace

[[Page 49955]]

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 AvGas engines with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2020 
(85 FR 21336). The NPRM was prompted by reports of in-flight engine 
failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. The NPRM 
proposed to require visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder 
assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, modification 
or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comment received 
on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Revise Compliance

    An individual commenter requested that the FAA revise the beginning 
of paragraph (g)(2), Required Actions, of this AD from ``If the engine 
has 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective date of this 
AD . . .'' to ``If the engine has 500 engine operating hours or greater 
after the effective date of this AD . . .'' The commenter reasoned that 
the AD, as written, could allow aircraft operated exclusively under 14 
CFR part 91 with fewer than 500 engine operating hours on the effective 
date of the AD to fly for an unlimited number of engine operating hours 
until the next annual inspection, as the 100-hour inspection is not 
required for part 91 operations.
    The FAA partially agrees. The FAA agrees that part 91 operators may 
fly their aircraft for an unlimited number of engine operating hours 
between annual inspections. Historically, the typical part 91 operator 
flies fewer than 100 engine operating hours per year, however. The FAA 
has reviewed the specific scenario outlined by the commenter and 
evaluated it against the associated risk assessment. The FAA disagrees 
with the commenter's request to revise the language in paragraph 
(g)(2), Required Actions, of this AD. Any aircraft with an affected 
engine, regardless of how they are being operated, must comply within 
the compliance times contained in the Required Actions section of this 
AD. All affected engines with fewer than 500 engine operating hours on 
the effective date of this AD must perform the visual inspection of the 
cross-flow cylinder assembly at the next 100-hour inspection or the 
next annual inspection, depending on aircraft operation. All affected 
engines with 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective 
date of this AD must perform the visual inspection of the cross-flow 
cylinder assembly at the next maintenance event, not to exceed 50 
engine operating hours, after the effective date of the AD. The FAA did 
not change this AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4,000 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     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 visual inspection. The 
FAA has no way of determining the number of cross-flow cylinder 
assemblies that might need this modification or replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     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.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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,

[[Page 49956]]

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) 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.

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):

2020-16-11 Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Type 
Certificate previously held by Continental Motors, Inc.): Amendment 
39-21195; Docket No. FAA-2020-0222; Project Identifier AD-2019-
00116-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 21, 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 inspection or next scheduled annual inspection after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is applicable based on the type 
of aircraft operation, perform a visual inspection of the cross-flow 
cylinder assembly using 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 using 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 using 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 using 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 using paragraph 
III, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-
08B.

(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) Definitions

    (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) 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.

[[Page 49957]]

(m) Related Information

    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].

(n) 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) Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. service 
information identified in this AD, contact Continental Aerospace 
Technologies, Inc., 2039 South Broad Street, Mobile, Alabama 36615; 
phone: 251-436-8299; website: http://www.continentalmotors.aero.
    (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 August 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17874 Filed 8-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P