[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1733-1735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31605]
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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 39-17308; AD 2012-26-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH
Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-
99, and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. That AD currently
requires installation of full-authority digital electronic control
(FADEC) software version 2.91. This new AD requires removing all
software mapping versions prior to 292, 301, or 302, applicable to the
TAE engine model. This AD was prompted by reports of possible power
loss on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. We are issuing this AD
to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in
reduced control of or damage to the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thielert
[[Page 1734]]
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. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
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 address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2011-07-09, Amendment 39-16646 (76 FR 17757,
March 31, 2011). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on September 17, 2012 (77 FR 57041).
That NPRM proposed to require removing all software mapping versions
prior to 292, 301, or 302, applicable to the TAE engine model.
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 relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
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 hours per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work hour. Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of the AD to 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 have 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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:
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)
2011-07-09, Amendment 39-16646 (76 FR 17757, March 31, 2011), and
adding the following new AD:
2012-26-13 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-17308;
Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 13,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2011-07-09, Amendment 39-16646 (76 FR
17757, March 31, 2011).
(c) Applicability
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) Supplemental Type
Certificate (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.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of possible power loss on
airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. We are issuing this AD to
prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in
reduced control of or damage to the airplane.
(e) Compliance
Unless already done, do the following. Within 55 flight hours or
within 3 months of the effective date of the AD, or during the next
scheduled maintenance, whichever occurs first, remove all full-
authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software prior to
versions 292, 301, and 302. Tables 1, 2, and 3 to paragraph (e)
provide the software mapping and respective part numbers for
software versions 292, 301, and 302, installed on the TAE 125-01,
TAE 125-02-99, and TAE-125-02-114 engines, respectively.
Table 1 to Paragraph (e) for TAE 125-01 Engines
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Software mapping Part No.
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T14V292CES........................... 20-7610-55104R9.
T28V292CES........................... 20-7610-55105R7.
T14V292PIP........................... 40-7610-55106R9.
T28V292PIP........................... 40-7610-55107R7.
T14V292APEX.......................... 60-7610-55106R9.
[[Page 1735]]
T14V292DIA........................... 50-7610-55105R9.
R28V292DIA........................... 50-7610-55107R5.
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Table 2 to Paragraph (e) for TAE 125-02-99 Engines
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Software mapping Part No.
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O14V301CES........................... 20-7610-E000110.
O28V301CES........................... 20-7610-E001110.
O14V301PIP........................... 40-7610-E000110.
O28V301PIP........................... 40-7610-E001110.
O14V301APEX.......................... 60-7610-E000110.
O14V301DA40.......................... 50-7610-E000110.
O28V301DA42.......................... 52-7610-E000505.
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Table 3 to Paragraph (e) for TAE 125-02-114 Engines
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Software mapping Part No.
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P14V302CES........................... 20-7610-E002007.
P28V302CES........................... 20-7610-E003007.
P28V302PIP........................... 40-7610-E003007.
P14V302APEX.......................... 60-7610-E002007.
P14V302DA40.......................... 50-7610-E002007.
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(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238 7199.
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive No. 2012-0116, dated July 3, 2012, and Thielert Aircraft
Engines Service Bulletin TM TAE 000-0007, Revision 19, dated August
31, 2012, for related information.
(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. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 27, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31605 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
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