Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Reciprocating Engines

[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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