[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71371-71373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29449]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Models
TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-99, and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
Service experience has shown that a case of FADEC channel B
manifold air pressure (MAP) sensor hose permeability is not always
recognized as fault by the FADEC. The MAP value measured by the
sensor may be lower than the actual pressure value in the engine
manifold, and limits the amount of fuel injected into the combustion
chamber and thus the available power of the engine. A change in
FADEC software version 2.91 will change the logic in failure
detection and in switching to channel B (no automatic switch to
channel B if MAP difference between channel A and B is detected and
lower MAP is at channel B).
In addition, previous software versions allow--under certain
conditions and on DA 42 aircraft only--the initiation of a FADEC
self test during flight that causes an engine in-flight shutdown.
We are proposing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown or
power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 7, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
[[Page 71372]]
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, 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.
Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350,
Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-
2912; e-mail: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com for the service information
identified in this proposed AD.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (phone (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 and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0820;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed 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).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
2010-0137, dated June 30, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
Service experience has shown that a case of FADEC channel B
manifold air pressure (MAP) sensor hose permeability is not always
recognized as fault by the FADEC. The MAP value measured by the
sensor may be lower than the actual pressure value in the engine
manifold, and limits the amount of fuel injected into the combustion
chamber and thus the available power of the engine. A change in
FADEC software version 2.91 will change the logic in failure
detection and in switching to channel B (no automatic switch to
channel B if MAP difference between channel A and B is detected and
lower MAP is at channel B).
In addition, previous software versions allow--under certain
conditions and on DA 42 aircraft only--the initiation of a FADEC
self test during flight that causes an engine in-flight shutdown.
We are proposing to require installation of full-authority digital
electronic control (FADEC) software version 2.91 to prevent automatic
switching to channel B if the channel B MAP sensor hose is leaking. The
current software cannot detect the difference between a manifold leak
and a real manifold pressure change. This software installation will
prevent the undesired limiting of fuel to the engine. Installing FADEC
software version 2.91 will also prevent the FADEC from self-testing
during flight, which would cause an engine in-flight shutdown.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA has notified us of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are proposing 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 proposed AD would require
installing full authority digital electronic control software version
2.91.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 112 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 0.5 work-hour per engine to
comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. There are no required parts cost. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $4,760.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
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
[[Page 71373]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2010-0820;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by January 7, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE
125-01, TAE 125-02-99, and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines
installed in, 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 DA 40, DA 42, and DA 42M NG airplanes.
Reason
(d) 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. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown
or power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the
airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 110 flight hours after the effective date of the AD
or during next maintenance, whichever occurs first, install full-
authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software version 2.91.
(2) Guidance on FADEC software installation can be found in the
following:
(i) For TAE 125-01 engines, Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-
01-02, Issue 3, Revision 13.
(ii) For TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines, Operation &
Maintenance Manual OM-02-02, Issue 1, Revision 10.
Prohibition of FADEC Software Earlier Versions
(f) Once FADEC software version 2.91 is installed, do not
install any earlier version of FADEC software.
FAA AD Differences
(g) EASA AD 2010-0137 permits installation of earlier FADEC
software versions, once version 2.91 is installed. This AD does not.
(h) EASA AD 2010-0137 requires compliance within 110 flight
hours after the effective date of the AD or during next maintenance,
whichever occurs first, but no later than 6 months after the
effective date of the AD. This AD requires compliance within 110
flight hours after the effective date of the AD or during next
maintenance, whichever occurs first.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCS)
(i) 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
(j) Refer to AD 2010-0137, dated June 30, 2010, for related
information. Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse
14 D-09350, Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax:
+49-37204-696-2912; e-mail: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com, for a copy
of the service information referenced in this AD.
(k) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 16, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-29449 Filed 11-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P