AD 2012-02-05

This AD is effective March 2, 2012.

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; email: 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.

Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; phone: (781) 238-7143; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: alan.strom@faa.gov.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, 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 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2011 (76 FR 64289). That NPRM was proposed to require on all TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines, replacing the friction disk, P/N 05-7211-K010201.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 64289, October 18, 2011).

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 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 will take about 3 work-hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,500 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $361,530. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage.

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):