AD 2023-17-04

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.

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.

George Hanlin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5584; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov.

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.

The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination of the costs.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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: