[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22298-22301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8564]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1243; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-058-AD; 
Amendment 39-16626; AD 2011-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 
172 Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01303WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 22299]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires installing a full authority 
digital engine control (FADEC) backup battery, replacing the supplement 
pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and 
replacing the FADEC backup battery every 12 calendar months. This AD 
was prompted by an incident where an airplane experienced an in-flight 
engine shutdown caused by a momentary loss of electrical power to the 
FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent interruption of electrical 
power to the FADEC, which could result in an uncommanded engine 
shutdown. This failure could lead to a loss of engine power.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2011.
    Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 26, 2011.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Thielert Aircraft Engines Service GmbH, Platanenstra[szlig]e 14, D-
09350 Lichtenstein, Deutschland; telephone: +49 (37204) 696-1474; fax: 
+49 (37204) 696-1910; Internet: http://www.thielert.com/. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-
329-4148.

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: Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#26544f454e4754420854434c484f474d6640474708414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f0ebe1eae3f0e6acf0e7e8ecebe3e9c2e4e3e3ace5edf4">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78177). That NPRM proposed to require 
installing a FADEC backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's 
operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and 
replacing the FADEC backup battery every 12 calendar months.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request

    Rob van den Bosch, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, when referring 
to the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) and airplane flight manual 
(AFM) supplement, recommended adding ``or later approved issue or 
revision.'' The commenter reasoned that future changes to the AMM or 
AFM would require additional work by the FAA to update the AD.
    We disagree with the recommendation. If we would include such 
language, it would violate regulation, specifically 1 CFR 51.1, 
paragraph (f), which states ``Incorporation by reference of a 
publication is limited to the edition of the publication that is 
approved. Future amendments or revisions of the publication are not 
included.''. Service information that we incorporate by reference in an 
AD is often revised after we issue the AD. We can approve later 
revisions of service information as an alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC).
    The FAA is not changing this AD as a result of this comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For airplanes with a 14-volt battery  24 work-hours x $85 per             $820           $2,860          $14,300
 system; installation of a 14-volt     hour = $2,040.
 FADEC backup battery.
For airplanes with a 28-volt battery  24 work-hours x $85 per            1,160            3,200           28,800
 system; installation of a 28-volt     hour = $2,040.
 FADEC backup battery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a

[[Page 22300]]

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-06-02 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16626; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1243; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-058-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective May 26, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all serial numbers of the following 
airplanes, certified in any category, that are modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01303WI, as identified in 
Table 1 of this AD:

                                 Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                         Engine             Group
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K,    TAE 125-01............            1
 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H,
 F172K, F172L, and F172M.
(2) 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K,    TAE 125-02-99.........            2
 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H,
 F172K, F172L, and F172M.
(3) 172N, 172P, F172N, and F172P...  TAE 125-01............            3
(4) 172N, 172P, F172N, and F172P...  TAE 125-02-99.........            4
(5) 172R and 172S..................  TAE 125-01............            5
(6) 172R and 172S..................  TAE 125-02-99.........            6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 72: Engine.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by an incident where an airplane 
experienced an in-flight engine shutdown caused by a momentary loss 
of electrical power to the FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
interruption of electrical power to the FADEC, which could result in 
an uncommanded engine shutdown. This failure could lead to a loss of 
engine power.

Compliance

    (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For all airplanes: Modify the     Within the next 100 hours time-in-    (i) For groups 1, 3, and 5
 engine electrical system by           service after May 26, 2011 (the       airplanes: Follow Thielert Aircraft
 installing a backup battery system    effective date of this AD) or         Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM
 and associated wiring and             within 30 days after May 26, 2011     TAE 601-0007, Revision 8, dated
 circuitry.                            (the effective date of this AD),      October 14, 2010.
                                       whichever occurs first.              (ii) For groups 2, 4, and 6
                                                                             airplanes: Follow Thielert Aircraft
                                                                             Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM
                                                                             TAE 601-1001 P1, Revision 8, dated
                                                                             October 14, 2010.
(2) For all airplanes: Replace the    Within 12 calendar months after       (i) For groups 1, 3, and 5
 FADEC backup battery.                 doing the modification required in    airplanes: Follow Page 8, Revison
                                       paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and       2, dated October 8, 2010, from
                                       repetitively thereafter within 12     Chapter 24 ``Electrical Power''
                                       calendar months after the previous    (Chapter 20-AMM-24-01-US) of
                                       replacement.                          Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH
                                                                             Supplement Airplane Maintenance
                                                                             Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 TAE
                                                                             125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-20-01 (US-
                                                                             Version) Version: 2/4.
                                                                            (ii) For groups 2, 4, and 6
                                                                             airplanes: Follow page 7, Revision
                                                                             1, dated October 8, 2010, from
                                                                             Chapter 24 ``Electrical Power''
                                                                             (Chapter 20-AMM-24-02-US) of
                                                                             Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH
                                                                             Supplement Airplane Maintenance
                                                                             Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172
                                                                             CENTURION 2.0 (TAE 125-02-99), Doc.
                                                                             No.: AMM-20-02 (US-Version)
                                                                             Version: 1/1.

[[Page 22301]]

 
(3) For groups 1 and 2 airplanes:     Before further flight after doing     Not applicable.
 Incorporate Thielert Aircraft         the modification required in
 Engines GmbH ``Supplemental           paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
 Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's
 Operating Handbook and FAA Approved
 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
 (as applicable) for the Cessna 172
 F, G, H, I, K, L, M, Reims Cessna
 F172 F, G, H, K, L, M, Equipped
 with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99
 Installation,'' Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.:
 20-0310-21042, dated October 4,
 2010, into the pilot's operating
 handbook.
(4) For groups 3 and 4 airplanes:     Before further flight after doing     Not applicable.
 Incorporate Thielert Aircraft         the modification required in
 Engines GmbH ``Supplemental           paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
 Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's
 Operating Handbook and FAA Approved
 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
 (as applicable) for the Cessna 172
 N & P, Reims Cessna F172 N & P,
 Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-
 02-99 Installation,'' Issue 2-1,
 TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-20042, dated
 October 4, 2010, into the pilot's
 operating handbook.
(5) For groups 5 and 6 airplanes:     Before further flight after doing     Not applicable.
 Incorporate Thielert Aircraft         the modification required in
 Engines GmbH ``Supplemental Pilot's   paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
 Operating Handbook and FAA Approved
 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
 for the Cessna 172 R & S, Equipped
 with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99
 Installation,'' Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.:
 20-0310-22042, dated October 4,
 2010, into the pilot's operating
 handbook.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (h) For more information about this AD, contact Richard Rejniak, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100; 
phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#493b202a21283b2d673b2c2327202822092f2828672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abd9c2c8c3cad9cf85d9cec1c5c2cac0ebcdcaca85ccc4dd">[email protected]</span></a>.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the following information to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise:
    (1) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-
0007, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010;
    (2) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-
1001 P1, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010;
    (3) Chapter 24 ``Electrical Power'' (Chapter 20-AMM-24-01-US), 
Issue 2, Revision No.: 2, dated October 8, 2010, of Thielert 
Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 
172 & Reims F172 TAE 125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-20-01 (US-Version) 
Version: 2/4;
    (4) Chapter 24 ``Electrical Power'' (Chapter 20-AMM-24-02-US), 
Issue: 1, Rev. No: 1, dated October 8, 2010, of Thielert Aircraft 
Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 172 & 
Reims F172 CENTURION 2.0 (TAE 125-02-99), Doc. No.: AMM-20-02 (US-
Version) Version: 1/1;
    (5) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH ``Supplemental Airplane 
Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved 
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 
F, G, H, I, K, L, M, Reims Cessna F172 F, G, H, K, L, M, Equipped 
with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,'' Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 
20-0310-21042, dated October 4, 2010; and
    (6) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH ``Supplemental Airplane 
Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved 
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 
N & P, Reims Cessna F172 N & P, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-
02-99 Installation,'' Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-20042, dated 
October 4, 2010; and
    (7) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH ``Supplemental Pilot's 
Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement for the Cessna 172 R & S, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 
125-02-99 Installation,'' Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-22042, dated 
October 4, 2010.
    (j) 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.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Thielert Aircraft Engines Service GmbH, Platanenstra[szlig]e 14, D-
09350 Lichtenstein, Deutschland; telephone: +49 (37204) 696-1474; 
fax: +49 (37204) 696-1910; Internet: http://www.thielert.com/.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 816-329-4148.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 5, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8564 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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