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FAA seeks information from aircraft owners on certain Continental engines

Editor's note: This article was updated on November 2.

“The FAA is concerned that the corrective action contained within AD 2020-16-11” regarding "fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies" on certain Continental engines “is not sufficiently resolving the issue.” The agency published an airworthiness concern sheet October 25 seeking “additional input from the field in order to better understand whether any additional actions are necessary at this time.”

The 2020 AD was "prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies." The AD required “cylinder head inspection and removal of the casting material build-up on the radius edge of identified cross-flow cylinder heads to reduce the potential for fracture initiation.”

In the airworthiness concern sheet, the FAA said it had "received multiple reports from the field of cracked cylinders despite prior compliance" with the 2020 AD. Affected models include the "GTSIO-520-C, D, H, K, L, M, N; IO-550-G, N, P, R; IOF-550-N, P, R; TSIO-520-BE; TSIO-550-A, B, C, E, G, K, N; and TSIOF-550-D, J, K, P" with cylinder heads produced on or after November 1, 2014, and serial numbers prior to AC18KB277. The FAA estimated that the 2020 AD would affect "4,000 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry."

See the airworthiness concern sheet for the detailed information the FAA seeks. The FAA requests responses within 30 days.

AOPA ePublishing staff
AOPA ePublishing Staff editors are experienced pilots, flight instructors, and aircraft owners who have a passion for bringing you the latest news and AOPA announcements.
Topics: Advocacy, Airworthiness

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