Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Reciprocating Engines

[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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