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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13488-13490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5372]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0201; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-47-AD; 
Amendment 39-16972; AD 2010-11-09R1]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 
TAE models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines installed 
on, but not limited to, Diamond Aircraft Industries Model DA 42 
airplanes. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive 
replacements of proportional pressure reducing valves (PPRVs) (also 
known as propeller control valves). This new AD relaxes the repetitive 
replacement interval from a 300-hour interval to a 600-hour interval 
for PPRVs, P/N 05-7212-E002801, on TAE 125-02-99 engine. This AD was 
prompted by TAE increasing the life of the PPRV, part number (P/N) 05-
7212-E002801, on TAE 125-02-99 engines from 300 to 600 hours. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

DATES: This AD is effective April 11, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 11, 
2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of July 
13, 2010 (75 FR 32253, June 8, 2010).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350, 
Lichtenstein, Germany; phone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-2912; 
email: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced 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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 
781-238-7199; email: alan.strom@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to revise AD 2010-11-09, Amendment 39-16314 (75 FR 32253, June 
8, 2010). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on November 22, 2011 (76 FR 72128). That NPRM 
proposed to retain all of the requirements of AD 2010-11-09, except the 
repetitive replacement interval in paragraph (e)(2). This AD relaxes 
the repetitive 300-hour replacement interval to a 600-hour interval.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 72128, November 22, 
2011).

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 affects about 300 TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-
02-99 reciprocating engines installed in Diamond Aircraft Industries 
Model DA 42 airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 
take 0.25 work-hour per engine to replace a PPRV and install a 
vibration isolator to the gearbox

[[Page 13489]]

assembly. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts 
cost about $275 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $88,875.

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) 
2010-11-09, Amendment 39-16314 (75 FR 32253, June 8, 2010), and adding 
the following new AD:

2010-11-09R1 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-16972; 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0201; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-47-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 11, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2010-11-09, Amendment 39-16314 (75 FR 32253, 
June 8, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) models 
TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines designated with 
part number (P/N) 05-7200-K000301 or 02-7200-14017R1. The engines 
are installed on, but not limited to, Diamond Aircraft Industries 
Model DA 42 airplanes.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by engine in-flight shutdown incidents 
reported on Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 airplanes equipped 
with TAE 125 engines. The investigations showed that it was mainly 
the result of failure of the proportional pressure reducing valve 
(PPRV) (also known as the propeller control valve) due to high 
vibrations. Since the release of European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2008-0145, the engine gearbox has been identified as the 
primary source of vibrations for the PPRV, and it has also been 
determined that failure of the electrical connection to the PPRV 
could have contributed to some power loss events or in-flight 
shutdowns. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight 
shutdown, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(f) TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines

(1) Initial PPRV Replacement

    For TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines with engine, P/N 05-
7200-K000301, within 55 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD:
    (i) Replace the existing PPRV with PPRV, P/N 05-7212-E002801. 
Use paragraphs A. through B. of TAE Service Bulletin (SB) No. TM TAE 
125-1007 P1, Revision 3, dated October 17, 2011, or SB No. TM TAE 
125-1007 P1, Revision 2, dated April 29, 2009, to do the 
replacement.
    (ii) Install a vibration isolator, P/N 05-7212-K022302, to the 
gearbox assembly. Use paragraphs 1 through 20 of TAE SB No. TM TAE 
125-1009 P1, Revision 3, dated October 14, 2009, to do the 
installation.

(2) Repetitive PPRV Replacements

    Thereafter, within every 600 flight hours, replace the PPRV, P/N 
05-7212-E002801, with the same P/N PPRV.

(g) TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines

(1) Initial PPRV Replacement

    For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines with engine, P/N 02-7200-
14017R1, within 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Replace the existing PPRV with a PPRV, P/N NM-0000-0124501 
or P/N 05-7212-K021401. Use paragraph 1 of TAE SB No. TM TAE 125-
0018, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2008, to do the replacement.
    (ii) Inspect the electrical connectors of the PPRV and replace 
the connectors if damaged, and install a vibration isolator, P/N 05-
7212-K023801, to the gearbox assembly. Use paragraphs 1 through 27 
of TAE SB No. TM TAE 125-0020, Revision 1, dated November 25, 2009, 
to do the inspection and installation.

(2) Repetitive PPRV Replacements

    Thereafter, within every 300 flight hours, replace the PPRV with 
a PPRV, P/N NM-0000-0124501 or P/N 05-7212-K021401.

(h) FAA Differences

    (1) We have found it necessary to not reference the second 
paragraph of the unsafe condition from the MCAI EASA AD 2009-0224. 
That sentence stated that the problem has only manifested itself on 
those TAE engines installed on Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 
aircraft. The affected engines which require a PPRV could be used on 
other make and model airplanes in the future.
    (2) We also did not reference the February 28, 2010 compliance 
date, which is in EASA AD 2009-0193R1, or the January 31, 2010 
compliance date which is in EASA AD 2009-0224.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to EASA AD 2009-0224, dated October 20, 2009 (TAE 125-
02-99), and EASA AD 2009-0193R1, dated December 1, 2009 (TAE 125-
01), for related information.
    (2) 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; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
alan.strom@faa.gov, for more information about this AD.
    (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-
2912; email: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com

[[Page 13490]]

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 11, 2012.
    (i) Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH, TAE Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. TM TAE 125-1007 P1, Revision 3, October 17, 2011.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 13, 2010 (75 FR 32253, June 8, 2010).
    (i) Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH, TAE SB No. TM TAE 125-
1007 P1, Revision 2, April 29, 2009.
    (ii) Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH, TAE SB No. TM TAE 
125-1009 P1, Revision 3, dated October 14, 2009.
    (iii) Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH, TAE SB No. TM TAE 
125-0020, including Annexes A and B, Revision 1, dated November 25, 
2009.
    (iv) Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH, TAE SB No. TM TAE 
125-0018, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2008.
    (5) 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-
2912; email: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com.
    (6) You may review copies of the referenced 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.
    (7) 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 NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 24, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5372 Filed 3-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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