Rules and Regulations. Final rule

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Final rule
Citation: FR Doc. 2011-8564 · RIN 2120-AA64 · 14 CFR 39

Summary

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires installing a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and replacing the FADEC backup battery every 12 calendar months. This AD was prompted by an incident where an airplane experienced an in-flight engine shutdown caused by a momentary loss of electrical power to the FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent interruption of electrical power to the FADEC, which could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown. This failure could lead to a loss of engine power.

Dates

This AD is effective May 26, 2011. Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 26, 2011.

Supplementary Information

Discussion We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78177). That NPRM proposed to require installing a FADEC backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and replacing the FADEC backup battery every 12 calendar months. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal and the FAA's response to the comment. Request Rob van den Bosch, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, when referring to the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) and airplane flight manual (AFM) supplement, recommended adding “or later approved issue or revision.” The commenter reasoned that future changes to the AMM or AFM would require additional work by the FAA to update the AD. We disagree with the recommendation. If we would include such language, it would violate regulation, specifically 1 CFR 51.1, paragraph (f), which states “Incorporation by reference of a publication is limited to the edition of the publication that is approved. Future amendments or revisions of the publication are not included.”. Service information that we incorporate by reference in an AD is often revised after we issue the AD. We can approve later revisions of service information as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). The FAA is not changing this AD as a result of this comment. Conclusion We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes: • Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and • Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators For airplanes with a 14-volt battery system; installation of a 14-volt FADEC backup battery 24 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,040 $820 $2,860 $14,300 For airplanes with a 28-volt battery system; installation of a 28-volt FADEC backup battery 24 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,040 1,160 3,200 28,800 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 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. 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. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2011-06-02 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16626; Docket No. FAA-2010-1243; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-058-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD is effective May 26, 2011. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all serial numbers of the following airplanes, certified in any category, that are modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01303WI, as identified in Table 1 of this AD: Table 1 Model Engine Group (1) 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, and F172M TAE 125-01 1 (2) 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, and F172M TAE 125-02-99 2 (3) 172N, 172P, F172N, and F172P TAE 125-01 3 (4) 172N, 172P, F172N, and F172P TAE 125-02-99 4 (5) 172R and 172S TAE 125-01 5 (6) 172R and 172S TAE 125-02-99 6 Subject (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 72: Engine. Unsafe Condition (e) This AD was prompted by an incident where an airplane experienced an in-flight engine shutdown caused by a momentary loss of electrical power to the FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent interruption of electrical power to the FADEC, which could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown. This failure could lead to a loss of engine power. Compliance (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Actions Compliance Procedures (1) For all airplanes: Modify the engine electrical system by installing a backup battery system and associated wiring and circuitry. Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after May 26, 2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within 30 days after May 26, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. (i) For groups 1, 3, and 5 airplanes: Follow Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-0007, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010. (ii) For groups 2, 4, and 6 airplanes: Follow Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-1001 P1, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010. (2) For all airplanes: Replace the FADEC backup battery. Within 12 calendar months after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and repetitively thereafter within 12 calendar months after the previous replacement. (i) For groups 1, 3, and 5 airplanes: Follow Page 8, Revison 2, dated October 8, 2010, from Chapter 24 “Electrical Power” (Chapter 20-AMM-24-01-US) of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 TAE 125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-20-01 (US-Version) Version: 2/4. (ii) For groups 2, 4, and 6 airplanes: Follow page 7, Revision 1, dated October 8, 2010, from Chapter 24 “Electrical Power” (Chapter 20-AMM-24-02-US) of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 CENTURION 2.0 (TAE 125-02-99), Doc. No.: AMM-20-02 (US-Version) Version: 1/1. (3) For groups 1 and 2 airplanes: Incorporate Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 F, G, H, I, K, L, M, Reims Cessna F172 F, G, H, K, L, M, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-21042, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook. Before further flight after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. Not applicable. (4) For groups 3 and 4 airplanes: Incorporate Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 N & P, Reims Cessna F172 N & P, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-20042, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook. Before further flight after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. Not applicable. (5) For groups 5 and 6 airplanes: Incorporate Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for the Cessna 172 R & S, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-22042, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook. Before further flight after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. Not applicable. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. Related Information (h) For more information about this AD, contact Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: richard.rejniak@faa.gov. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the following information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise: (1) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-0007, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010; (2) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 601-1001 P1, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010; (3) Chapter 24 “Electrical Power” (Chapter 20-AMM-24-01-US), Issue 2, Revision No.: 2, dated October 8, 2010, of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 TAE 125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-20-01 (US-Version) Version: 2/4; (4) Chapter 24 “Electrical Power” (Chapter 20-AMM-24-02-US), Issue: 1, Rev. No: 1, dated October 8, 2010, of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 CENTURION 2.0 (TAE 125-02-99), Doc. No.: AMM-20-02 (US-Version) Version: 1/1; (5) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 F, G, H, I, K, L, M, Reims Cessna F172 F, G, H, K, L, M, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-21042, dated October 4, 2010; and (6) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable) for the Cessna 172 N & P, Reims Cessna F172 N & P, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-20042, dated October 4, 2010; and (7) Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH “Supplemental Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for the Cessna 172 R & S, Equipped with TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 Installation,” Issue 2-1, TAE-Nr.: 20-0310-22042, dated October 4, 2010. (j) 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. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Thielert Aircraft Engines Service GmbH, Platanenstraße 14, D-09350 Lichtenstein, Deutschland; telephone: +49 (37204) 696-1474; fax: +49 (37204) 696-1910; Internet: http://www.thielert.com/. (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. (5) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 5, 2011. Earl Lawrence, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-8564 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]