Document ID: FAA-2017-0241-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Technify Motors GmbH Reciprocating Engines
Posted Date: 2017-05-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 86 (Friday, May 5, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21144-21146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09040]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0241; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Technify Motors 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 
certain Technify Motors GmbH TAE 125-02 reciprocating engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a loss of engine power in flight caused by 
oil leaking from the gearbox radial shaft sealing ring that 
contaminated the clutch. This proposed AD would require replacement of 
the clutch with a dual mass flywheel. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by June 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Technify Motors GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14, D-09356 Sankt Egidien, 
Germany; phone: +49 37204 696 0; fax: +49 37204 696 29125; email: 
engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0241.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0241; 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 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: robert.green@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-2017-0241; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-09-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

[[Page 21145]]

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 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0034, dated February 20, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products.
    The MCAI states:

    A temporary power loss occurred during flight on a TAE 125-02-
powered aeroplane. Following investigation, it was determined that 
an improper lapping of the gearbox driveshaft led to insufficient 
sealing of the gearbox radial shaft sealing ring, eventually 
resulting in oil leakage and oil contamination of the clutch.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
permanent engine power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the aeroplane.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0241.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Technify Motors GmbH has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB TMG 
125-1020 P1, Initial Issue, dated January 27, 2016. The SB describes 
procedures for replacing the clutch with a dual mass flywheel. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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 replacing the 
clutch with a dual mass flywheel.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace clutch and gearbox............  0 work-hours x $85 per            $5,805          $5,805         $24,580
                                         hour = $0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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):

Technify Motors GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2017-0241; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-09-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 19, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Technify Motors GmbH TAE 125-02-99 
(commercial designation CD-135, formerly Centurion 2.0) and TAE 125-
02-114 (commercial designation CD-155, formerly Centurion 2.0S) 
reciprocating engines with a gearbox serial number (S/N) listed in 
Figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.

[[Page 21146]]

                               Figure 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--Gearbox S/Ns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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     00095        00107        00139        00160        00171        00172       00179       00189       00224
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     00327        00396        00432        00459        00481        00564       00688       00697       00884
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     00923        00957        01019        01048        01081        01082       01106       01125       01236
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     01237        01241        01245        01288        01311        01314       01351       01357       01361
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     01388        01418        01427        01487        01529        01534       01561       01598       01634
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     01655        01704        01711        01755        01762        01786       01844       01881       01883
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     01884        01887        01891        01893        01904        01928       01933       01935       01951
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     01977        01978        01986        02026        02040        02041       02127       02141       02167
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     02189        02228        02289        02298        02304        02314       02316       02354       02432
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8510, Reciprocating 
Engine Front Section.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a loss of engine power in flight caused 
by oil leaking from the gearbox radial shaft sealing ring that 
contaminated the clutch. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure 
of the clutch, loss of engine power in flight, and reduced control 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) Within 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Replace the clutch with a dual mass flywheel. Use Technify 
Motors Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB TMG 125-1020 P1, Initial Issue, 
dated January 27, 2016, to do the replacement.
    (ii) Install a start phase monitoring system and software 
mapping in accordance with the requirements of FAA AD 2015-21-01 (80 
FR 64314, October 23, 2015); and
    (iii) Inspect the rear radial shaft sealing ring on the gearbox 
for oil leakage in accordance with Figures 2 and 3 of Technify 
Motors SB No. SB TMG 125-1020 P1, Initial Issue, dated January 27, 
2016. If an oil leak is detected, replace the gearbox with a part 
eligible for installation before the next flight.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD:
    (1) Do not install an engine that is equipped with a clutch and 
has an affected gearbox listed in Figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this 
AD;
    (2) Do not install an affected gearbox on an engine unless it 
has passed the inspection required by paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this 
AD; and
    (3) Do not install a clutch on an engine previously modified in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(2) of this AD or 
already incorporating a dual mass flywheel.

(h) 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. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2017-0034, 
dated February 20, 2017, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-0241.
    (3) Technify Motors GmbH Service Bulletin SB No. SB TMG 125-1020 
P1, Initial Issue, dated January 27, 2016, can be obtained from 
Technify Motors GmbH using the contact information in paragraph 
(i)(4) of this AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Technify Motors GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14, D-09356 Sankt 
Egidien, Germany; phone: +49 37204 696 0; fax: +49 37204 696 29125; 
email: engines.com">info@centurion-engines.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 28, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09040 Filed 5-4-17; 8:45 am]
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