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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64285-64287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26822]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product and from a comment received from the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on AD 2010-06-12, (75 FR 12439, 
March 16, 2010). The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, Thielert 
Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure control 
valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and has amended the 
Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the Operation & 
Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a replacement of the rail 
pressure control valve. Failure of this part could result in in-
flight shutdowns of the engine(s).

TAE has also amended the ALS of the Operation & Maintenance Manual OM-
02-01 to include a replacement of the rail pressure valve. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 17, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

[[Page 64286]]

     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 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.
    Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350, 
Lichtenstein, Germany, phone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-55; 
e-mail: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com for the service information 
identified in this proposed AD.

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 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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 
781-238-7199; e-mail: alan.strom@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-2009-0948; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-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

    On March 8, 2010, the FAA issued AD 2010-06-12, (75 FR 12439, March 
16, 2010). That AD requires initial and repetitive replacements of the 
rail pressure control valve.

Actions Since AD 2010-06-12 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2010-06-12, (75 FR 12439, March 16, 2010), EASA, 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Community, informed us that our AD is more restrictive than their EASA 
AD 2008-0128, dated July 9, 2009. Specifically, our paragraph (e)(3), 
which currently states:
    ``For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail pressure 
control valve with a rail pressure control valve, P/N 02-7320-04100R3'' 
should state:
    ``For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, before 600 flight hours 
time-since-new, or within 100 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the existing rail pressure 
control valve with a rail pressure control valve, P/N 02-7320-
04100R3.''
    We agree. We made the suggested change in this proposed AD. We also 
deleted the AD Differences paragraph (f)(2), which stated: ``For the 
TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, we changed initial compliance time 
from within the next 3 months to within 100 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD.'' The remainder of this proposed AD is 
unchanged.

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. 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 
initial and repetitive replacements of the rail pressure control valve.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAIs or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAIs and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we have found it necessary to 
reduce the initial compliance time for TAE 125-02-99 engines from 
within 110 flight hours to within 100 flight hours. We also have found 
it necessary to specify the repetitive replacement compliance time for 
the rail pressure control valve of within every 600 flight hours for 
both models of engines. The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow 
Thielert Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for 
the repetitive compliance time, which requires replacement of the rail 
pressure control valve within every 600 flight hours. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 370 TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating 
engines installed on products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1.5 work-hours per engine to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $500 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the proposed AD for initial replacement, on U.S. 
operators to be $232,175.

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

[[Page 64287]]

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); and
    3. 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 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

    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 Amendment 39-16236, and 
adding the following new AD:

Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2009-0948; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-30-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 17, 2011.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) This AD revises AD 2010-06-12, Amendment 39-16236.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
models TAE 125-01 and TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines installed 
in, but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series 
(European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type 
Certificate (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 DA40 and DA42 
airplanes.

Reason

    (d) As a consequence of occurrences and service experience, 
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has introduced a new rail pressure 
control valve part number (P/N) 05-7320-E000702 and has amended the 
Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the Operation & 
Maintenance Manual OM-02-02 to include a replacement of the rail 
pressure control valve. Failure of this part could result in in-
flight shutdowns of the engine(s).

TAE has also amended the ALS of the Operation & Maintenance Manual 
OM-02-01 to include a replacement of the rail pressure valve. This 
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAIs) issued by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product and 
from a comment received from EASA on AD 2010-06-12. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown, possibly resulting in 
reduced control of the aircraft.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.

TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines

    (1) For TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, within 100 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing rail 
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve P/N 05-
7320-E000702, and modify the Vrail plug to make it compatible with 
the replacement rail pressure control valve.
    (2) Guidance on the valve replacement and rail modification 
specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD can be found in Thielert 
Repair Manual RM-02-02, Chapter 73-10.08, and Chapter 39-40.08, 
respectively.

TAE 125-01 Reciprocating Engines

    (3) For TAE 125-01 reciprocating engines, before 600 flight 
hours time-since-new, or within 100 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the existing rail 
pressure control valve with a rail pressure control valve, P/N 02-
7320-04100R3.
    (4) Guidance on the valve replacement specified in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this AD can be found in Thielert Repair Manual RM-02-01, 
Chapter 29.0.

TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 Engines, Repetitive Replacements of Rail 
Pressure Control Valves

    (5) Thereafter, for affected TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-01 
engines, replace the rail pressure control valve with the same P/N 
valve within every 600 flight hours.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) and/or service information as follows:
    (1) For the TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines, we reduced the 
initial compliance time from within 110 flight hours to within 100 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The MCAIs instruct the operators to follow Thielert 
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 5, Airworthiness Limitations, for the 
repetitive compliance time for the rail pressure control valve, 
which, in the manual, is 600 flight hours. We found it necessary to 
specify the repetitive replacement compliance time in this AD, to 
within every 600 flight hours.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2008-0128, dated July 9, 2008, EASA AD 
2008-0215, dated December 5, 2008, Thielert Service Bulletin No. TAE 
125-1008 P1, Revision 1, dated September 29, 2008, and Thielert 
Repair Manual RM-02-02, for related information. Contact Thielert 
Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350, Lichtenstein, 
Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-55; e-mail: 
engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com, for a copy of this service information.
    (i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 781-238-7143; fax 
781-238-7199; e-mail: alan.strom@faa.gov, for more information about 
this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 6, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26822 Filed 10-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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