'Improper Installation'

‘Improper Installation’

Editorial Staff

Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 01:31 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD 2023–04–08) for Continental engines manufactured between June 2021 and February 2023, affecting over 2,100 crankshaft assemblies (1,632 U.S. registered).
The AD addresses a risk of catastrophic engine damage due to improperly seated counterweight retaining rings, requiring inspections and potential cylinder removal for affected engines with less than 200 hours of operation.
The FAASTeam emphasizes the critical importance of transition training for General Aviation (GA) pilots when moving to new aircraft types, citing its absence as a causal factor in many accidents.
Effective transition training should include comprehensive study of the new aircraft's systems and limitations, instruction from a qualified pilot, and extensive practice, especially during the initial 50-100 flight hours.

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The FAA on February 23, 2023 published a new, final airworthiness directive (AD 2023–04–08) highlighting a problem with new Continental engines manufactured between June 1, 2021, and Feb. 7, 2023. According to the agency, “The manufacturer has notified the FAA that 2,176 crankshaft assemblies are subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA estimates that of those 2,176 crankshaft assemblies, 1,632 are installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that 544 engines will need to remove one cylinder, 544 engines will need to remove two cylinders, and 544 engines will need to remove three cylinders for compliance with this AD.”

The new AD is based on Continental’s Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB23–01, Revision A, dated February 16, 2023. According to the bulletin, “It is possible one or more counterweight retaining rings were not properly seated in the crankshaft counterweight groove. This condition could allow the counterweight to depart from the crankshaft during engine operation resulting in catastrophic engine damage.”