Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) Model TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7947-7949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3117]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0747; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-28-AD; 
Amendment 39-16199; AD 2010-04-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
Model 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 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    An in-flight engine shutdown incident was reported on an 
aircraft equipped with a TAE 125-01 engine. This was found to be 
mainly the result of a blockage of the scavenge oil gear pump due to 
a broken axial bearing of the turbocharger. The broken parts were 
sucked into the oil pump and caused seizure. With the pump 
inoperative, the separator overfilled, causing the engine oil to 
escape via the breather vent line. This caused a loss of oil that 
resulted in the engine overheating and subsequent shutdown.


[[Page 7948]]


    We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 30, 2010. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this AD as of March 30, 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 September 17, 2009 
(74 FR 47759. That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    An in-flight engine shutdown incident was reported on an 
aircraft equipped with a TAE 125-01 engine. This was found to be 
mainly the result of a blockage of the scavenge oil gear pump due to 
a broken axial bearing of the turbocharger. The broken parts were 
sucked into the oil pump and caused seizure. With the pump 
inoperative, the separator overfilled, causing the engine oil to 
escape via the breather vent line. This caused a loss of oil that 
resulted in the engine overheating and subsequent shutdown.

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 MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and, in general, agree with its 
substance. But we have found it necessary to change the compliance from 
``within the next 50 flight hours after the effective date of this 
directive, but not later than 31 October 2007, whichever occurs 
first'', to ``within the next 50 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD.''

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 250 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about one work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$80 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD 
on U.S. operators to be $40,000.

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2010-04-06 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16199. 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0747; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-28-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
30, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
model TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, all serial numbers (S/N) up 
to- and- including S/N 02-01-1018. These engines are installed in, 
but not limited to, Diamond Aircraft Industries Model DA42, Piper 
PA-28-161 (Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA03303AT), 
Cessna 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, 172N, 172P, 172R, 
172S, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, F172M, F172N, and F172P 
(STC No. SA01303WI) 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. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:


[[Page 7949]]


    An in-flight engine shutdown incident was reported on an 
aircraft equipped with a TAE 125-01 engine. This was found to be 
mainly the result of a blockage of the scavenge oil gear pump due to 
a broken axial bearing of the turbocharger. The broken parts were 
sucked into the oil pump and caused seizure. With the pump 
inoperative, the separator overfilled, causing the engine oil to 
escape via the breather vent line. This caused a loss of oil that 
resulted in the engine overheating and subsequent shutdown.

    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 within the 
next 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
    (1) Modify the engine oil system by installing a filter adaptor 
to the catch tank.
    (2) Use the installation instructions in Thielert Service 
Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-0016, Revision 1, dated June 15, 2007, to 
install the filter adaptor.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) as follows:
    (1) The MCAI compliance time states ``within the next 50 flight 
hours after the effective date of this directive, but not later than 
31 October 2007, whichever occurs first''.
    (2) This AD compliance time states ``within the next 50 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD.''

Related Information

    (g) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2007-0232, dated 
August 23, 2007, for related information.
    (h) 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Thielert Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-0016, 
Revision 1, dated June 15, 2007, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) 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.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, 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.
    (3) 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://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 8, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3117 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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