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[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]

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.

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.

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ADDRESSES:

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

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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

Parts Cost per Cost on U.S.

Action Labor cost
cost product operators

Replace fiber gasket with 2.5 work-hours × $34 $246.50 $1,552,950

copper gasket or stainless steel $85 per hour =
PTFE gasket $212.50

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.

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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.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2022–04–04, Amendment 39–21945 ( 87 FR 9435,

February 22, 2022); and

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.

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(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–

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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: 9-ASO-ATLACO-
[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

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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

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