[Federal Register: November 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 214)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65509-65511]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no08-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0841; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-23-AD;
Amendment 39-15720; AD 2008-22-23]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
Model TAE 125-02-99 Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
product listed above. 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
aircraft equipped with TAE 125-02-99 engines. Preliminary
investigations showed that it was mainly the result of cracked disc
springs in the clutch.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI, which could result in engine in-flight
shutdown and the subsequent loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes November 19, 2008. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of TAE Service
Bulletin TM TAE 125-1006 P1, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2008, listed in
the AD as of November 19, 2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 4, 2008.
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: 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://
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (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: Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
jason.yang@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7747; fax (781) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0106-E, dated May 30, 2008 (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
aircraft equipped with TAE 125-02-99 engines. Preliminary
investigations showed that it was mainly the result of cracked disc
springs in the clutch. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in further cases of engine in-flight shutdown and the
consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
To address this unsafe condition, AD 2008-0100-E was published
to mandate repetitive inspections until a new clutch P/N 05-7211-
K006001 is installed.
Since that publication, data collected from the performed
inspections revealed that only the clutch assembly P/N 05-7211-
K000304 was subject to failure.
For the reasons stated above, this EASA AD supersedes AD 2008-
0100-E and requires the removal of the affected clutch
[[Page 65510]]
assemblies P/N 05-7211-K000304 on all TAE 125-02-99 engines and
their replacement by new clutches of an improved design.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH has issued Service Bulletin TM TAE
125-1006 P1, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2008. The actions described in
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 Germany, they have notified us of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the
information provided by Germany and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of
the short time to comply with this rule. Therefore, we determined that
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0841; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-23-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.
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 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 this AD:
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 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 adding the following new AD:
2008-22-23 Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH: Amendment 39-15720.;
Docket No. FAA-2008-0841; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-23-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November
19, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
model TAE 125-02-99 reciprocating engines with clutch, part number
(P/N) 05-7211-K000304, installed. These engines are installed on,
but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series (STC
No. SA01303WI); and Diamond DA42 airplanes.
Reason
``(d) In-flight engine shutdown incidents have been reported on
aircraft equipped with TAE 125-02-99 engines. Preliminary
investigations showed that it was mainly the result of cracked disc
springs in the clutch. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in further cases of engine in-flight shutdown and the
consequent loss of control of the aircraft.''
We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown and
the subsequent loss of control of the airplane.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) For engines that have accumulated, on the effective date of
this AD, less than 50 flight hours (FH) since installing clutch, P/N
05-7211-K000304: Upon the accumulation of 50 FH since installing
clutch, P/N 05-7211-K000304, replace the clutch as specified in TAE
SB TM TAE 125-1006 P1, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2008.
(2) For engines that have accumulated, on the effective date of
this AD, 50 or more FH since installing clutch, P/N 05-7211-K000304:
Before further flight, replace the clutch as specified in TAE SB TM
TAE 125-1006 P1, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2008.
FAA AD Differences
(f) We have further clarified the corrective action by
specifying the P/N of each affected clutch, and timing the
compliance period from when the clutch was installed instead of when
it was last inspected.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Engine Certification
[[Page 65511]]
Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Special Flight Permits: We are limiting special flight
permits to one ferry flight to a maintenance station to replace the
engine clutch. The maximum flight duration must not exceed 2 hours
and is limited to VFR conditions.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0106-E,
dated May 30, 2008, for related information.
(i) Contact Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: jason.yang@faa.gov;
telephone (781) 238-7747; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin
TM TAE 125-1006 P1, Revision 1, dated May 30, 2008, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350,
Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-
696-55; e-mail: info@centurion-engines.com.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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 October 23, 2008.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-25892 Filed 11-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P