[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 215 (Monday, November 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68636-68638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28672]
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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 39-16852; AD 2011-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) Models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-
02-99 reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires replacement of
certain part numbers (P/Ns) and serial numbers (S/Ns) of clutch
assemblies due to clutch failure. The failures identified above could
lead to engine in-flight shutdown and loss of control of the airplane.
This AD requires the same actions, but applies the corrective action to
an additional 244 affected clutch assemblies. This AD was prompted by
TAE identifying additional clutch assemblies with nonconforming disc
springs. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 22, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin (SB) No.
TM TAE 125-0021, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2011, and SB No. TM TAE
125-1011 P1, Revision 2, dated August 31, 2011, listed in the AD as of
November 22, 2011.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 22, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
[[Page 68637]]
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
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 Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is 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; email:
[email protected]; phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On August 16, 2010, we issued AD 2010-18-02, Amendment 39-16415 (75
FR 52240, August 25, 2010), for certain TAE models TAE 125-01 and TAE
125-02-99 reciprocating engines. That AD resulted from reports of
engine in-flight shutdowns. Preliminary investigations by TAE showed
that nonconforming disc springs (improper heat treatment) used in a
certain production batch of the clutch caused the shutdowns. That AD
requires replacement of certain clutch assemblies. We issued that AD to
prevent in-flight shutdown leading to loss of control of the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2010-18-02 (75 FR 52240, August 25, 2010), TAE
identified an additional 244 affected clutch assemblies with
nonconforming disc springs. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
has issued AD 2011-0152-E, dated August 18, 2011, which requires
replacement of additional clutch assemblies.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed TAE SB No. TM TAE 125-0021, Revision 1, dated August
17, 2011, and SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1 Revision 2, dated August 31,
2011. The SBs describe procedures for removing the affected clutch
assemblies from service, and contain the expanded list of serial
numbers of affected clutch assemblies.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, for engines with affected clutch assemblies that
have accumulated 100 flight hours or more, replacement of affected
clutch assemblies before further flight, and for engines with affected
clutch assemblies that have accumulated less than 100 flight hours,
replacement of affected clutch assemblies before accumulating 100
flight hours.
FAA's Justification and 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
TAE identifying 244 additional clutch assemblies with nonconforming
disc springs and 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 provide you with notice and opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
the docket number FAA-2010-0683; and 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 we
receive about this AD.
Cost of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 104 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 16
work-hours per engine to perform the clutch assembly replacement. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$1,796. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $328,224.
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
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 68638]]
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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2010-18-02, Amendment 39-16415 (75 FR 52240, August 25, 2010), and
adding the following new AD:
2011-23-01 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16852;
Docket No. FAA-2010-0683; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-25-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 22, 2011.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2010-18-02, Amendment 39-16415, (75 FR
52240, August 25, 2010).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE):
(1) TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines (commercial designation
Centurion 1.7), all serial numbers (S/Ns), 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 S/Ns, if a clutch assembly P/N 05-7211-K006001
or P/N 05-7211-K006002 is installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by TAE identifying additional clutch
assemblies that could fail with nonconforming disc springs. These
failures could lead to engine in-flight shutdown and loss of control
of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) After the effective date of this AD, for clutch assembly P/N
02-7210-11001R13, P/N 05-7211-K006001 and P/N 05-7211-K006002, with
an S/N listed in TAE Service Bulletin (SB) No. TM TAE 125-0021,
Revision 1, dated August 17, 2011, or SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1,
Revision 2, dated August 31, 2011, do the following:
(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.
(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 TAE SB No. TM TAE 125-0021, Revision 1, dated
August 17, 2011, or SB No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1, Revision 2, dated
August 31, 2011, and
(ii) Do not install any clutch assembly listed by S/N in TAE SB
No. TM TAE 125-0021, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2011, or SB No. TM
TAE 125-1011 P1, Revision 2, dated August 31, 2011, into any engine.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
to this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(g) Related Information
(1) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2011-0152-E, dated August 18, 2011,
for related information.
(2) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: [email protected];
phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin
No. TM TAE 125-0021, Revision 1, dated August 17, 2011, and Service
Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-1011 P1, Revision 2, dated August 31, 2011,
to identify the affected clutch assemblies requiring replacement by
this AD.
(2) 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.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350,
Lichtenstein, Germany; phone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-
55; email: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com.
(4) 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:[sol][sol]www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 19, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-28672 Filed 11-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P