Airworthiness Directives; Technify Motors GmbH Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Technify Motors GmbH (type certificate previously held by Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH) TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. This AD requires removal of affected fuel feed pumps. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight shutdowns on TAE 125-02 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel feed pump, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective May 9, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Technify Motors GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14, D-09356 Sankt Egidien, Germany; phone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-2912; email: support@continentaldiesel.de. 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-2015-5193.

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-2015-5193; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this 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 Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2016 (81 FR 27). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

In-flight shut down occurrences have been reported on aeroplanes equipped with TAE 125-02 engines. The initial results of the investigations showed that a defective fuel feed pump was the probable cause of the engine failure.

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-2015-5193.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 27, January 4, 2016).

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information

Technify Motors GmbH has issued Operation & Maintenance Manual, CD-135/CD-155, OM-02-02, Issue 4, Revision No. 5, dated September 18, 2015. The service information describes procedures for removing and replacing the fuel feed pump.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 190 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.5 hours per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Pro-rated cost of the life limit reduction is about $160 per part. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $38,475.

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),

(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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

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

2016-07-19 Technify Motors GmbH (Type Certificate previously held by Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH): Amendment 39-18464; Docket No. FAA-2015-5193; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-35-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD becomes effective May 9, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Technify Motors GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines with a fuel feed pump, part number (P/N) 05-7312-K0073xx, or P/N 05-7312-K0133xx, where “xx” can be any number, installed.

(d) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight shutdowns on TAE 125-02 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel feed pump, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Remove from service each affected fuel feed pump before it exceeds 600 operating hours (OH) time in service (TIS) or within 110 OH after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(f) Installation Prohibition

After the effective date of this AD, do not install onto any engine, any fuel feed pump, P/N 05-7312-K0073xx or P/N 05-7312-K0133xx, where “xx” can be any number, if the fuel feed pump has 600 hours or more TIS. If TIS of a fuel feed pump is unknown or has exceeded 600 hours TIS, then the fuel feed pump is not eligible for installation. Rebuilt, overhauled, or repaired fuel feed pumps or fuel feed pumps that lack a serial number, are not eligible for installation.

(g) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov.

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0189, dated September 21, 2015, 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-2015-5193.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Technify Motors GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14, D-09356 Sankt Egidien, Germany; phone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-2912; email: support@continentaldiesel.de.

(4) 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.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

None.