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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57041-57043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22528]

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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]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Models 
TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-99, and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to all Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH Models 
TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02-99, and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines. 
The existing AD currently requires installation of full-authority 
digital electronic control (FADEC) software version 2.91. Since we 
issued that AD, we have received reports of possible power loss on 
airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. This proposed AD would require 
removing all software mapping versions prior to 292, 301, or 302, 
applicable to the TAE engine model. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in reduced control 
of or damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 16, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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.

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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
alan.strom@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199.

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-2010-0820; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-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 because of 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 22, 2011 we issued AD 2011-07-09, amendment 39-16646 (76 
FR 17757, March 31, 2011), for 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) 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. That AD requires installation of 
FADEC software version 2.91. That AD resulted from service experience 
that showed the FADEC channel B manifold air pressure sensor hose 
permeability was not always recognized as a fault by the FADEC. We 
issued that AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, 
resulting in reduced control of or damage to the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2011-07-09, we have received reports of possible 
power loss on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. The preliminary 
investigation results have shown that an

[[Page 57042]]

undetected engine overspeed, due to a slipping clutch, may have 
contributed to these occurrences, in combination with other 
circumstances.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed TAE Service Bulletin TM TAE 000-0007, Revision 19, 
dated August 31, 2012. The service information describes procedures for 
updating the affected FADEC software.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2011-
07-09. This proposed AD would require removing all software mapping 
versions prior to 292, 301, or 302, applicable to the TAE engine model.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 112 engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
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 proposed 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 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 that the 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, 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.

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

    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]

    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:

Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2010-0820; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-31-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 16, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2011-07-09, Amendment 39-16646.

(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) 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
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(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 Alan Strom, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803;

[[Page 57043]]

email: alan.strom@faa.gov; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199.
    (2) Refer to MCAI 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 5, 2012.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22528 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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