AD 2020-14-07 Prompted By Reports Of Considerable Wear Of The Timing Chain...

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. This AD is effective August 25, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 and E4P diesel piston engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16014). The NPRM was prompted by reports of considerable wear of the timing chain and failure of fuel injectors on these engines. The NPRM proposed to require 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.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2019-0041, dated February 25, 2019 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The MCAI states:

• The airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks for the Austro Engine E4 and E4P engines, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the Austro Engine MM, Chapter 04. These instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.
• Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition. Austro Engine recently revised the ALS, introducing life limit for the engine timing chain and for the fuel injectors. For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS.

FMI: www.regulations.gov