[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17757-17758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7293]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD;
Amendment 39-16646; AD 2011-07-09]
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: 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
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 issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown or power
loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 5, 2011.
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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; phone: (781) 238-7143; 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 November 23, 2010
(75 FR 71371). That NPRM proposed 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.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM.
We updated the revision levels to the two referenced Thielert
Operation & Maintenance Manuals, and corrected a manual number
reference error in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will
affect about 112 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it will take about 0.5 work-hour per engine to
comply with this 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 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
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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 (phone: (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
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:
2011-07-09 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16646.
Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 5,
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-
02-01, Version 3, Revision 15.
(ii) For TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines, Operation &
Maintenance Manual OM-02-02, Version 2, Revision 1.
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 EASA AD 2010-0137, dated June 30, 2010, for related
information. Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse
14 D-09350, Lichtenstein, Germany, phone: +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];
phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 22, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7293 Filed 3-30-11; 8:45 am]
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