Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21793 · Reciprocating engine power section
Austro Engine GmbH Engines
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-03-03. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines equipped with either:
(1) A cylinder head having part number (P/N) E4A-12-500-000 (affected cylinder head), or
(2) A high-pressure pump (HPP) driving gear, having P/N E4A-30-000-201, with a serial number (S/N) listed in Chapter 1.4, Table 1 of Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-034/3, Revision No. 3, dated September 30, 2021 (MSB-E4-034/3) (affected HPP driving gear).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the high-pressure pump (HPP) driving gear and a subsequent determination that a batch of HPP driving gears may have been damaged during assembly. This AD requires, for engines with an affected cylinder head, inspection of the HPP driving gear and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation. This AD also requires, for engines with an affected HPP driving gear, replacement of the HPP driving gear either before further flight or within a certain number of flight hours after the effective date of this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For engines with an affected cylinder head, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, perform all actions in the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 2.1., of Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-035/1, Revision No. 1, dated September 30, 2021 (MSB-E4-035/1).
(2) If, during the performance of the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, the HPP driving gear does not pass the inspection, as specified in paragraph 2.1. of Austro Engine MSB-E4-035/1, before further flight, replace the HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation.
(3) For engines equipped with an affected HPP driving gear, within the compliance time specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable, replace each affected HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation.
(1) For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation is an HPP driving gear that is not an affected HPP driving gear.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, engines in Engine Group 1 are Model E4 engines in configuration “-A” installed on single engine airplanes.
(3) For the purpose of this AD, engines in Engine Group 2 are Model E4 engines in configuration “-B” or “-C” and Model E4P engines installed on twin-engine airplanes.
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.
