[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12439-12441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5548]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD;
Amendment 39-16236; AD 2010-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
Models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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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
[[Page 12440]]
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, Thielert
Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure control
valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and P/N 02-7320-04100R3 and
has amended the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the
Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a replacement of
the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part could result
in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).
We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, possibly
resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2009 (74
FR 53438). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, Thielert
Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure control
valve P/N 05-7320-E000702 and 02-7320-04100R3 and has amended the
ALS of the Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a
replacement of the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part
could result in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAIs or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAIs and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we have found it necessary to
reduce the initial compliance time for TAE 125-02-99 engines from
within 110 flight hours to within 100 flight hours, and for TAE 125-01
engines from within the next 3 months to within 100 flight hours. We
also have found it necessary to specify the repetitive replacement
compliance time for the rail pressure control valve of within every 600
flight hours. The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow Thielert
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for the
repetitive compliance time, which requires replacement of the rail
pressure control valve within every 600 flight hours. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 370 TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines
installed on products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will
take about 1.5 work-hours per engine to comply with this AD. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$500 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD
for initial replacement, on U.S. operators to be $229,400.
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.
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 provided in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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:
2010-06-12 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16236.
Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD.
[[Page 12441]]
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April
20, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines installed
in, but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series
(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) As a consequence of occurrences and service experience,
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure
control valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and P/N 02-7320-
04100R3 and has amended the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS)
of the Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a
replacement of the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part
could result in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).
This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAIs) 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, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines
(1) For TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve P/N 05-
7320-E000702, and modify the Vrail plug to make it compatible with
the replacement rail pressure control valve.
(2) Guidance on the valve replacement and rail modification
specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD can be found in Thielert
Repair Manual RM-02-02, Chapter 73-10.08, and Chapter 39-40.08,
respectively.
TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines
(3) For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve, P/N 02-
7320-04100R3.
(4) Guidance on the valve replacement specified in paragraph
(e)(3) of this AD can be found in Thielert Repair Manual RM-02-01,
Chapter 29.0.
TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 Engines, Repetitive Replacements of Rail
Pressure Control Valves
(5) Thereafter, for affected TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01
engines, replace the rail pressure control valve with the same P/N
valve within every 600 flight hours.
FAA AD Differences
(f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
(1) For the TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, we reduced the
initial compliance time from within 110 flight hours to within 100
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For the TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, we changed initial
compliance time from within the next 3 months to within 100 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow Thielert
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for the
repetitive replacement compliance time for the rail pressure control
valve, which, in the manual, is 600 flight hours. We found it
necessary to specify the repetitive replacement compliance time in
this AD, of within every 600 flight hours.
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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2008-0128, dated July 9, 2008, EASA AD 2008-0215, dated December 5,
2008, Thielert Service Bulletin No. TAE 125-1008 P1, Revision 1,
dated September 29, 2008, and Thielert Repair Manual RM-02-02, for
related information. 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, for a copy of this service information.
(i) Contact Tara Chaidez, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7773; fax (781) 238-7199,
for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 8, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5548 Filed 3-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P