2023-20-03: Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section, Reciprocating Engine Oil System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-20-03 Austro Engine GmbH: Amendment 39-22562; Docket No. FAA-2023-1412; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01588-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 11, 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 No. 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 Engine group Compliance time Interval Group 1 and Group 3 Within 15 flight hours (FHs) from the effective date of this AD Before exceeding 50 FHs since last oil analysis. Group 2 and Group 4 Within 25 FHs from the effective date of this AD Before exceeding 100 FHs since last oil analysis. (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 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 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD and email to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. (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 regulations.gov 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: barbara.caufield@faa.gov. (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 No. 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on October 20, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-24385 Filed 11-3-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P