[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70216-70218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28183]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD;
Amendment 39-17680; AD 2013-24-06]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines. This
AD requires applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing
(crankcase assembly) opening. This AD was prompted by a report of
engine power loss due to engine coolant contaminating the engine
clutch. The design of the engine allows the crankcase assembly opening
to be susceptible to contamination from external sources. We are
issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine power loss, which could
result in loss of control of, and damage to, the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.
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.
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 mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI), 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779;
fax: 781-238 7199; email: [email protected].
[[Page 70217]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2013 (78 FR
47228). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A power loss event was reported on an aeroplane equipped with a
TAE 125-01 engine. The investigation results showed that the
probable cause was contamination of the engine clutch by coolant
spillage during the last maintenance operation. The contamination
penetrated the clutch housing through an opening located under the
coolant tank that was only closed by a not fluid-tight plastic
cover.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0561-0002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 47228, August 5,
2013).
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 140 engines of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2.5 hours per engine
to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour.
Required parts cost about $110 per engine. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $45,150.
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-24-06 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-17680;
Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-01
reciprocating engines.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of engine power loss due to
engine coolant contaminating the engine clutch. The design of the
engine allows the crankcase assembly opening to be susceptible to
contamination from external sources. We are issuing this AD to
prevent in-flight engine power loss, which could result in loss of
control of, and damage to, the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) After the effective date of this AD at the next annual or
100-hour inspection, whichever comes first, apply sealant to close
the engine clutch housing (crankcase assembly) opening.
(2) Thereafter, reapply sealant to the engine clutch housing
(crankcase assembly) opening, whenever the sealant is found to be
not liquid-tight, or is removed.
(3) Guidance on the sealant and application can be found in
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No.TM TAE 125-0022,
dated August 8, 2012.
(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) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0109,
dated May 22, 2013, for related information. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0561-0002.
(3) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No. TM TAE
125-0022, dated August 8, 2012, which is not incorporated by
reference in this AD, can be obtained from Thielert Aircraft Engines
GmbH, using the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
[[Page 70218]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 14, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28183 Filed 11-22-13; 8:45 am]
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