[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52240-52242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21058]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0683; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-25-AD;
Amendment 39-16415; AD 2010-18-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
Models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
In-flight shutdown incidents have been reported on airplanes
equipped with TAE 125 engines. Preliminary investigations showed
that it was mainly the result of nonconforming disc springs
(improper heat treatment) used in a certain production batch of the
clutch.
We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown leading to
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 9, 2010.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 24, 2010.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin (SB) No.
TM TAE 125-0021, dated June 9, 2010, and SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1,
dated June 9, 2010, listed in the AD as of September 9, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC
20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2010-0111-E, dated June 10, 2010 (corrected June 11, 2010) (referred
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
In-flight shutdown incidents have been reported on airplanes
equipped with TAE 125 engines. Preliminary investigations showed
that it was mainly the result of nonconforming disc springs
(improper heat treatment) used in a certain production batch of the
clutch.
[[Page 52241]]
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
TAE has issued SB No. TM TAE 125-0021, dated June 9, 2010, and SB
No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1, dated June 9, 2010. The actions described in
these SBs are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of
Germany, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, they have notified us of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design. This AD requires replacement of affected clutch assemblies.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we have found it necessary to
use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear
for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do
not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the
MCAI and related service information.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of
the need for operators to comply with some of the AD actions before
further flight. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30
days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0683; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NE-25-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment
(or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2010-18-02 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16415.;
Docket No. FAA-2010-0683; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-25-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 9, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE):
(1) TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines (commercial designation
Centurion 1.7), all serial numbers, if a clutch assembly part number
(P/N) 02-7210-11001R13 is installed; and
(2) TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines (commercial designation
Centurion 2.0), all serial numbers, if a clutch assembly P/N 05-
7211-K006001 or P/N 05-7211-K006002 is installed.
(3) These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Cessna
172 and (Reims-built) F172 series (European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) STC No. EASA.A.S.01527); Piper PA-28 series (EASA STC No.
EASA.A.S. 01632); APEX (Robin) DR 400 series (EASA STC No.
A.S.01380); and Diamond Aircraft Industries Models DA40 and DA42
airplanes.
Reason
(d) In-flight shutdown incidents have been reported on airplanes
equipped with TAE 125 engines. Preliminary investigations showed
that it was mainly the result of nonconforming disc springs
(improper heat treatment) used in a certain production batch of the
clutch.
[[Page 52242]]
We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown
leading to loss of control of the airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Before next flight after the effective date of this AD,
identify the serial number (S/N) of each P/N 02-7210-11001R13, P/N
05-7211-K006001, and P/N 05-7211-K006002 clutch assembly installed
on the airplane. If the S/N matches one of those listed in Thielert
Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin (SB) No. TM TAE 125-0021,
dated June 9, 2010, or SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1, dated June 9,
2010, as applicable to engine model, replace the clutch assembly
within the following compliance times:
(i) For engines with affected clutch assemblies that have
accumulated 100 flight hours or more on the effective date of this
AD, replace the clutch assembly before further flight.
(ii) For engines with affected clutch assemblies that have
accumulated less than 100 flight hours on the effective date of this
AD, replace the clutch assembly before accumulating 100 flight
hours.
Clutch Assembly Prohibition
(2) After the effective date of this AD:
(i) Do not install an engine having a clutch assembly that is
listed by S/N in Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin
(SB) No. TM TAE 125-0021, dated June 9, 2010, or SB No. TM TAE 125-
1011 P1, dated June 9, 2010; and
(ii) Do not install any clutch assembly listed by S/N in
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin (SB) No. TM TAE 125-
0021, dated June 9, 2010, or SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1, dated June
9, 2010, into any engine.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
(1) EASA AD 2010-0111-E, dated June 10, 2010 (corrected June 11,
2010) has separate compliance times for engines installed on twin-
engine airplanes. This AD does not.
(2) EASA AD 2010-0111-E, dated June 10, 2010 (corrected June 11,
2010) allows a single ferry flight with conditions. This AD does
not.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2010-0111-E, dated June 10, 2010
(corrected June 11, 2010), for related information.
(i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin
No. TM TAE 125-0021, dated June 9, 2010, or SB No. TM TAE 125-1011
P1, also dated June 9, 2010, to identify the affected clutch
assemblies requiring replacement by this AD.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350,
Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-
696-55; e-mail: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 16, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-21058 Filed 8-24-10; 8:45 am]
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