FAA Releases More Details Behind NPRM For Proposed AD For ECi Cylinders | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.16.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.17.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Fri, Sep 27, 2013

FAA Releases More Details Behind NPRM For Proposed AD For ECi Cylinders

Cost Of Compliance Across The Industry Would Top $82 Million

The FAA has published more details behind a proposed AD that would affect engines which incorporate ECi cylinders that could have a wide-ranging financial impact on the GA community.

In the NPRM, the FAA says they propose "to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airmotive Engineering Corp. replacement parts manufacturer approval (PMA) cylinder assemblies marketed by Engine Components International Division (ECi), used on the Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) models 520 and 550 reciprocating engines, and all other engine models approved for the use of CMI models 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies such as the CMI model 470 when modified by supplemental type certificate (STC).

"This proposed AD was prompted by failure reports of multiple cylinder head-to-barrel separations and cracked and leaking aluminum cylinder heads. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections, replacement of cracked cylinders, and replacement of cylinder assemblies at reduced times-in-service. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected cylinder assemblies into any engine. We are proposing this AD to prevent cylinder head cracks, engine failure, and loss of the airplane."

The FAA says that knowing the likely impact that compliance with the AD will have upon the owners and operators, a detailed review was performed to consider all aspects of the information provided by Airmotive Engineering Corp. After considering all factors, which included, for example, the efforts of two Chief Scientific and Technical Advisors, data from the FAA/Airmotive Engineering Corp. meetings, and the application of the FAA Policy Statement on Risk Assessment 08/07/13 for Reciprocating Engine Airworthiness Directives (PS-ANE100-1999-00006), "we concluded that proceeding with this proposed AD to correct the unsafe condition was appropriate."

The FAA estimates that the proposed AD would affect about 6,000 Continental Motors, Inc. models IO-520, TSIO-520, IO-550, and IOF-550 reciprocating engines and all other engine models approved for the use of CMI models 520 and 550 cylinder assemblies (such as the CMI model 470 when modified by STC), installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The agency also estimate that each affected ECi cylinder will be inspected on average four times in the first year, and that about six hours per engine would be required to perform the visual inspection, compression test, and leak check. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Finally, The FAA estimates that about 18 hours would be required to replace all six cylinder assemblies during scheduled overhaul maintenance, and that a replacement cylinder assembly would cost about $1,700. Based on these figures, "we estimate the total cost of this proposed AD to U.S. operators to change all ECi cylinders to be $82,620,000. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage."

The FAA is accepting comments on the proposed AD until October 11.

FMI: Docket, Proposed AD

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.15.25): Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach

Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach An approach conducted while operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to proceed >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.15.25)

“When l became the Secretary of Defense, I committed to rebuild our military to match threats to capabilities. Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.15.25)

Aero Linx: Stearman Restorers Association Welcome to the Stearman Restorers Association. The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Co>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox

Airplane Exhibited A Partial Loss Of Engine Power When It Was About Halfway Down The Runway Analysis: The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his pr>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna A150L

The Flight Path Was Consistent With Low-Altitude Maneuvering On June 18, 2025, about 0922 mountain standard time, a Cessna A150L airplane, N6436F, was substantially damaged when it>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC