[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65120-65122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20445]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1159; Project Identifier AD-2022-00692-E; 
Amendment 39-22530; AD 2023-17-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies, 
Inc. Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-04-04 
for certain Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Continental) 
Model C-125, C145, IO-360, IO-470, IO-550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360, and 
TSIO-520 series engines and certain Continental Motors IO-520 series 
engines with a certain oil filter adapter installed. AD 2022-04-04 
required replacing the oil filter adapter fiber gasket (fiber gasket) 
with an oil filter adapter copper gasket (copper gasket). This AD was 
prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss 
due to oil starvation. This AD requires replacing the fiber gasket with 
a copper gasket or a stainless steel embedded within 
polytetrafluoroethylene gasket (stainless steel PTFE gasket). This AD 
also revises the applicability 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. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 26, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 

[[Page 65121]]

    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
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 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Stratus Tool Technologies, LLC, 2208 Air Park Drive, 
Burlington, NC 27215; phone: (800) 822-3200; website: tempestplus.com.
     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. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1159.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Hanlin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
(404) 474-5584; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 
(87 FR 9435, February 22, 2022) (AD 2022-04-04). AD 2022-04-04 applied 
to certain Continental Model C-125, C145, IO-360, IO-470, IO-520, IO-
550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360, TSIO-520 series engines with a certain oil 
filter adapter installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register 
on June 2, 2023 (88 FR 36258). The SNPRM was prompted by a comment from 
an individual commenter noting that certain engine models were missing 
from the applicability in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 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 this AD. The FAA also discovered that certain model 
engines, with permold type crankcases, were inadvertently included in 
the applicability paragraph of the NPRM, which the FAA removed in the 
SNPRM. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the fiber 
gasket with a copper or stainless steel PTFE gasket. The FAA also 
proposed to revise the applicability to include Continental model 
engines equipped with an F&M or a Stratus oil filter adapter installed 
per Supplemental Type Certificate SE8409SW, SE09356SC, or SE10348SC. In 
addition, the FAA also proposed to include the revised service 
information. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adoption of the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Stratus Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-001 Rev C, 
dated June 16, 2022, which 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 6,300 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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                $34          $246.50       $1,552,950
 gasket or stainless steel PTFE        per hour = $212.50.
 gasket.
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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

    The FAA has determined that 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) 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.

[[Page 65122]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 
(87 FR 9435, February 22, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-17-04 Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc.: Amendment 39-
22530; Docket No. FAA-2022-1159; Project Identifier AD-2022-00692-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 26, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-04-04, Amendment 39-21945 (87 FR 9435, 
February 22, 2022) (AD 2022-04-04).

(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) 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 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact George Hanlin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5584; email: [email protected].

(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: tempestplus.com.
    (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: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 15, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-20445 Filed 9-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P