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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47228-47230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18797]

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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]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines. This 
proposed 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. This proposed AD would require 
applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing (crankcase 
assembly) opening. We are proposing this AD to prevent in-flight engine 
power loss, which could result in loss of control of, and damage to, 
the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200

[[Page 47229]]

New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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">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 Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed 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 the same as the 
Mail address 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: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who 
sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy 
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19477-78).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0109, dated May 22, 2013 (referred to 
hereinafter as ``the MCAI''), 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 obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket. The design of the engine allows the crankcase assembly opening 
to be susceptible to contamination from external sources. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent in-flight engine power loss, which could 
result in loss of control of, and damage to, the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
TM TAE 125-0022, dated August 8, 2012. The SB describes procedures for 
applying sealant to close the engine clutch housing (crankcase 
assembly) opening.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design. This proposed AD would require applying sealant 
to close the engine clutch housing (crankcase assembly) opening.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 140 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 
2.5 hours per engine to comply with this proposed 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 the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $45,150. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible 
warranty coverage.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (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.

[[Page 47230]]

    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0561; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-23-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 4, 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: 
frederick.zink@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0109, dated May 22, 2013, for related information. 
You may examine the AD on the Internet at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2013-0109.
    (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, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-
696-55; email: /engines.com">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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 25, 2013.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18797 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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