Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21161 · Fuel control/reciprocating engines and code 8520, reciprocating engine power section
Austro Engine GmbH Engines
This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. This AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and failure of fuel injectors on these engines. This AD requires replacement of the timing chain and fuel injectors on the affected Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For engines that have had a windmill restart before the effective date of this AD or for engines with a timing chain in which it cannot be determined if the engine has experienced any windmilling, after the effective date of this AD, remove the timing chain and replace with a part eligible for installation as follows, whichever occurs later:
(i) Before the timing chain exceeds 900 flight hours (FHs) since new, or;
(ii) Within 100 FHs after the windmilling restart, or;
(iii) Before further flight.
(2) For engines that have a windmill restart after the effective date of this AD, remove the timing chain before it exceeds 900 FHs since new or within 100 FHs after the windmilling restart, whichever occurs later, and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(3) Remove the fuel injectors and replace with parts eligible for installation before they exceed 900 FHs since new or before further flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(i) Use Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 2.1, of Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3, dated January 8, 2019, to perform the required actions in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) Thereafter, repeat the replacement of the fuel injectors required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD at intervals not exceeding 900 FHs since new.
The tagging and returning of the removed fuel injectors to the manufacturer, referenced in the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 2.1, of Austro Engine MSB No. MSB-E4-025, Rev. No. 3, dated January 8, 2019, are not required by this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
