2024-05-01: Reciprocating Engine Power Section

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: 2024-05-01 Austro Engine GmbH: Amendment 39-22691; Docket No. FAA-2024-0456; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00084-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 11, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines with one of the following: (1) An engine serial number or engine core serial number specified in Table 1 of Austro Engine GMBH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-042, Revision 0, dated January 31, 2024 (MSB-E4-042), or; (2) An engine serial number or engine core serial number specified in Table 2 of MSB-E4-042. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Codes: 8520, Reciprocating Engine Power Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of engine failures and the determination that certain batches of cap screws, installed on the inner main bearing positions of the engine, were manufactured at the lower end of the material strength tolerance. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent piston failure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine failure, reduced control of the airplane, and for single engine airplanes, an emergency landing, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For engines or engine cores identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, remove each cap screw, installed on the inner main bearing positions of the engine, from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation in accordance with paragraph 2.3, "Main Bearing Screws Replacement" of Austro Engine GmbH Work Instruction WI-MSB-E4-042, Revision 0, dated February 2, 2024 (WI-MSB-E4-042). (2) For engines or engine cores identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, remove each cap screw, installed on the inner main bearing positions of the engine, from service and replace it with a part eligible for installation in accordance with paragraph 2.3, "Main Bearing Screws Replacement" of WI-MSB-E4-042, at the compliance times referenced in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD, whichever occurs first: (i) Within 300 flight hours after first installation on an airplane or since last overhaul, as applicable, or before further flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) At the next scheduled engine maintenance, after the effective date of this AD. (h) Installation Prohibition (1) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an engine core, having a serial number specified in Table 1 or Table 2 of MSB-E4-042, on any engine, unless the cap screws installed on the inner main bearing positions of that engine core have been replaced with parts eligible for installation in accordance with paragraph 2., Technical Details of MSB-E4-042. (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install cap screws having part number (P/N) E4A-10-100-201 on the inner main bearing positions of any engine. (i) Definitions For the purposes of this AD: (1) A part eligible for installation is a cap screw, class 12.9, having P/N E4A-10-100-202. (2) The inner main bearing positions are engine bearing positions 3 through 8 inclusive, as shown in Figure 1, "Main bearing cap screws to be replaced." of MSB-E4-042. (j) Special Flight Permits A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to permit a single ferry flight to a location where the actions required by this AD can be accomplished, provided that the flight is accomplished without passengers and does not exceed 3 flight hours. (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 2024-0037R1, dated February 6, 2024, for related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0456. (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-E4-042, Revision 0, dated January 31, 2024. (ii) Austro Engine GmbH Work Instruction WI-MSB-E4-042, Revision 0, dated February 2, 2024. (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 service information 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-locations or email: fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on February 27, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-04579 Filed 2-29-24; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P