Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21195 · Reciprocating cylinder section
Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Continental Motors, Inc.) Reciprocating Engines
This AD applies to Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Continental Motors, Inc.) model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines, originally manufactured, rebuilt, or modified with a cross-flow cylinder assembly replacement, on or after November 1, 2014, and with a cross-flow cylinder assembly, part number (P/N) 658538, 658540, 658542, 658591, 658595, 658613, 658624, 658539, 658541, 658590, 658594, 658603, 658623, or 658630, installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520- D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO- 550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550- G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly installed. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. This AD requires visual inspection and, depending on the results of the inspection, modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) If the engine has fewer than 500 engine operating hours on the effective date of this AD, no later than the next scheduled 100-hour inspection or next scheduled annual inspection after the effective date of this AD, whichever is applicable based on the type of aircraft operation, perform a visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly using paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020 (“Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B”).
(i) If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly using paragraphs III.4 through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB 18-08B; or
(ii) If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part eligible for installation.
(2) If the engine has 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective date of this AD, at the next maintenance event after the effective date of this AD, not to exceed 50 engine operating hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly using paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B.
(i) If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly using paragraphs III.4 through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB 18-08B; or
(ii) If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part eligible for installation.
After the effective date of this AD, do not install any cross-flow cylinder assembly having a P/N identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any affected engine unless the cross-flow cylinder assembly has been visually inspected and modified using paragraph III, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B.
The reporting requirement in paragraph III, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B is not required by this AD.
(1) For the purpose of this AD, “the next maintenance event” is the next scheduled 100-hour/annual inspection, overhaul, or the next time the airplane enters maintenance for a non-engine issue, whichever occurs first.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, “modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly” is the removal of the casting material build-up by blending the cross-flow cylinder assembly radius corner.
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.
