Potential Crankshaft Flaw Prompts FAA To Issue Continental Engine AD

The airworthiness directive effectively grounds roughly 1,632 aircraft registered in the U.S. immediately, according to the FAA.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, February 24, 2023 at 01:50 PM ET

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The FAA issued an airworthiness directive aimed at aircraft, such as Cirrus SR-22s, that are powered by certain piston engines manufactured by Continental Aerospace Technologies. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has issued an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) for specific Continental piston engines (360, 470, 520, 550 series) due to a critical safety concern regarding improperly seated crankshaft counterweight retaining rings.
This AD effectively grounds affected aircraft, including popular models like Beechcraft and Cirrus SR series, requiring a mandatory inspection of the retaining rings before their next flight to prevent catastrophic engine failure.
The AD supersedes Continental's earlier service bulletin, applies to all affected engines regardless of operating hours, and impacts over 2,100 crankshaft assemblies globally, with Continental covering inspection costs.
Aircraft cannot be repositioned to a maintenance facility without a Special Flight Permit, which is contingent upon an inspection for metal contamination in the engine oil filter or a recent clean oil change.

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The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive aimed at aircraft powered by certain piston engines manufactured by Continental Aerospace Technologies. The AD—issued on the heels of a Continental Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB23-01A) earlier this month—effectively grounds the aircraft until the directive, which focuses on the crankshaft counterweights, can be complied with.

The AD, published on February 23, calls for inspection of the crankshaft counterweight retaining ring within five hours for those new or rebuilt engines with less than 200 hours in operation since installation. Models include those in the 360, 470, 520, and 550 series.