Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) Models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12439-12441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5548]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD; 
Amendment 39-16236; AD 2010-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
Models TAE 125-02-99 and 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

[[Page 12440]]

another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, Thielert 
Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure control 
valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and P/N 02-7320-04100R3 and 
has amended the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the 
Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a replacement of 
the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part could result 
in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 20, 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 October 19, 2009 (74 
FR 53438). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, Thielert 
Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure control 
valve P/N 05-7320-E000702 and 02-7320-04100R3 and has amended the 
ALS of the Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a 
replacement of the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part 
could result in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).

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 MCAIs or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAIs and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we have found it necessary to 
reduce the initial compliance time for TAE 125-02-99 engines from 
within 110 flight hours to within 100 flight hours, and for TAE 125-01 
engines from within the next 3 months to within 100 flight hours. We 
also have found it necessary to specify the repetitive replacement 
compliance time for the rail pressure control valve of within every 600 
flight hours. The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow Thielert 
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for the 
repetitive compliance time, which requires replacement of the rail 
pressure control valve within every 600 flight hours. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect about 370 TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines 
installed on products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 
take about 1.5 work-hours per engine to comply with this AD. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$500 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD 
for initial replacement, on U.S. operators to be $229,400.

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, 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:

2010-06-12 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16236. 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD.

[[Page 12441]]

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
20, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines installed 
in, but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series 
(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 DA40 and DA42 
airplanes.

Reason

    (d) As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, 
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure 
control valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and P/N 02-7320-
04100R3 and has amended the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) 
of the Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a 
replacement of the rail pressure control valve. Failure of this part 
could result in in-flight shutdowns of the engine(s).
    This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAIs) 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, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.

TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines

    (1) For TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail 
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve P/N 05-
7320-E000702, and modify the Vrail plug to make it compatible with 
the replacement rail pressure control valve.
    (2) Guidance on the valve replacement and rail modification 
specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD can be found in Thielert 
Repair Manual RM-02-02, Chapter 73-10.08, and Chapter 39-40.08, 
respectively.

TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines

    (3) For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail 
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve, P/N 02-
7320-04100R3.
    (4) Guidance on the valve replacement specified in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this AD can be found in Thielert Repair Manual RM-02-01, 
Chapter 29.0.

TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 Engines, Repetitive Replacements of Rail 
Pressure Control Valves

    (5) Thereafter, for affected TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 
engines, replace the rail pressure control valve with the same P/N 
valve within every 600 flight hours.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
    (1) For the TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, we reduced the 
initial compliance time from within 110 flight hours to within 100 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For the TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, we changed initial 
compliance time from within the next 3 months to within 100 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow Thielert 
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for the 
repetitive replacement compliance time for the rail pressure control 
valve, which, in the manual, is 600 flight hours. We found it 
necessary to specify the repetitive replacement compliance time in 
this AD, of within every 600 flight hours.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2008-0128, dated July 9, 2008, EASA AD 2008-0215, dated December 5, 
2008, Thielert Service Bulletin No. TAE 125-1008 P1, Revision 1, 
dated September 29, 2008, and Thielert Repair Manual RM-02-02, for 
related information. 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, for a copy of this service information.
    (i) 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 8, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5548 Filed 3-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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