Document ID: FAA-2011-0956-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines
Posted Date: 2011-10-18T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64289-64291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26827]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0956; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-23-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) 
TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 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. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    In-flight engine shutdown incidents have been reported on 
aeroplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. Preliminary investigations 
showed that it was mainly the result of the sensitivity of friction 
disk Part Number (P/N) 05-7211-K010201 against possible misalignment 
of gearbox and core engine during assembly.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in further cases 
of engine in-flight shutdown and consequent loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH 
has developed a new friction disk.

    We are proposing this AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdown, 
which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 2, 
2011.

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

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://

[[Page 64290]]

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, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA; 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-2011-0956; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-23-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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2011-0087-E, dated May 12, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    In-flight engine shutdown incidents have been reported on 
aeroplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines.
    Preliminary investigations showed that it was mainly the result 
of the sensitivity of friction disk Part Number (P/N) 05-7211-
K010201 against possible misalignment of gearbox and core engine 
during assembly.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in further cases 
of engine in-flight shutdown and consequent loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH 
has developed a new friction disk.

    We are proposing this AD to require replacement of affected 
friction disks, which would resolve the unsafe condition described 
above. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the 
AD docket.

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 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 on all TAE 125-02-
99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines, replacing the friction 
disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 206 TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating 
engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 work-hours per engine to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $1,500 per engine. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $361,530. 
Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage.

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); 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2011-0956; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-23-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 2, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 64291]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH TAE 125-
02-99 and TAE-125-02-114 reciprocating engines with friction disk, 
part number (P/N) 05-7211-K010201, installed.

(d) Reason

    This 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. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
    In-flight engine shutdown incidents have been reported on 
aeroplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. Preliminary investigations 
showed that it was mainly the result of the sensitivity of friction 
disk Part Number (P/N) 05-7211-K010201 against possible misalignment 
of gearbox and core engine during assembly.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in further cases 
of engine in-flight shutdown and consequent loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH 
has developed a new friction disk.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight engine shutdown, 
which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) TAE 125-02-99 Engines, P/Ns 05-7200-K000201; 05-7200-K000701; 05-
7200-K000101; 05-7200-K000901; 05-7200-K001101; and 05-7200-K001301; 
and TAE 125-02-114 Engines, P/Ns 05-7200-K000501; 05-7200-K000801; and 
05-7200-K001401

    For TAE 125-02-99 engines, P/Ns 05-7200-K000201; 05-7200-
K000701; 05-7200-K000101; 05-7200-K000901; 05-7200-K001101; and 05-
7200-K001301; and TAE 125-02-114 engines, P/Ns 05-7200-K000501; 05-
7200-K000801; and 05-7200-K001401, remove friction disk, P/N 05-
7211-K010201, within 100 flight hours (FH) time-since-new (TSN) on 
the clutch or within 10 FH time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is later.

(2) TAE 125-02-99 Engines, P/Ns 05-7200-K000301

    For TAE 125-02-99 engines, P/N 05-7200-K000301, installed on 
multiengine aircraft, remove friction disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201, on 
one engine within 100 FH TSN on the clutch or within 10 FH TIS after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. Remove friction 
disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201, from the other engine within 300 FH TSN 
on the clutch or within 10 FH TIS after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever is later.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD:
    (1) Do not install any friction disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201, into 
any engine.
    (2) Do not install any TAE 125-02-99 engine, P/N 05-7200-
K000201, 05-7200-K000301, or 05-7200-K000701, or TAE 125-02-114 
engine, P/N 05-7200-K00801 or 05-7200-K00501, that has a friction 
disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201 installed, onto any airplane.

(g) Operating Prohibition

    Do not operate any multi-engine aircraft after 300 FH TSN on the 
clutch or 10 FH TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
is later, which has installed a friction disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201.

(h) FAA AD Differences

    The MCAI mandates the replacement friction disk P/N. This AD 
does not.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0087-E, 
dated May 12, 2011, and Thielert Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-
1013 P1, 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.
    (2) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; phone: 
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 4, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26827 Filed 10-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P