Airworthiness Directives:
Federal Register: December 15, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 240)
Proposed Rules
Page 78177-78179
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr15de10-16
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
Page 78177
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
Docket No. FAA-2010-1243; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-058-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 172 Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01303WI
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 would require 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 proposed 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 proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Thielert Aircraft Engines Service GmbH, Platanenstra[szlig]e 14, D- 09350 Lichtenstein, Deutschland; telephone: +49 (37204) 696-1474; fax:
+49 (37204) 696-1910; Internet: http://www.thielert.com/. You may review copies of the referenced 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: richard.rejniak@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1243;
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-058-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 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
In 2007, a Diamond DA42 airplane experienced a dual in-flight engine shutdown. Our review of the incident determined the root cause was an unsafe design feature that allowed momentary interruption of electrical power to both engine FADECs. The interruption caused the
FADECs to reset, shutting down both engines with a consequent loss of engine power. Cessna Model 172 airplanes modified by STC No. SA01303WI have a similar unsafe design feature that can allow the FADEC to shut down or reset if the main battery is depleted and the electrical charging system malfunctions.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown. This failure could lead to a loss of engine power.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletins TM TAE 601-0007, Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010, and TM TAE 601-1001 P1,
Revision 8, dated October 14, 2010. The service information describes procedures for installation of a FADEC backup battery.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Page 78178
Estimated Costs
Cost per
Cost on U.S.
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
product
operators
For airplanes with a 14-volt battery 24 work-hours x $85 per
$820
$2,860
$14,300 system; installation of a 14-volt
hour = $2,040.
FADEC backup battery.
For airplanes with a 28-volt battery 24 work-hours x $85 per
1,160
3,200
28,800 system; installation of a 28-volt
hour = $2,040.
FADEC backup battery.
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),
(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.
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):
Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1243; Directorate
Identifier 2010-CE-058-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by January 31, 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, TAE 125-01
1 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H,
F172K, F172L, and F172M.
(2) 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K, TAE 125-02-99
2 172L, 172M, F172F, F172G, F172H,
F172K, F172L, and F172M.
(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
Within the next 100 hours time-in-
(i) For groups 1, 3, and 5 engine electrical system by
service after the effective date of airplanes: Follow Thielert Aircraft installing a backup battery system this AD or within 30 days after the Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM and associated wiring and
effective date of this AD,
TAE 601[dash]0007, Revision 8, circuitry.
whichever occurs first.
dated October 14, 2010.
Page 78179
.................................... (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
Within 12 calendar months after
(i) For groups 1, 3, and 5
FADEC backup battery.
doing the modification required in airplanes: Follow page 8 of Chapter paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and
20-AMM-24-01-US, Issue 2, Revision repetitively thereafter within 12
No.: 2, dated October 8, 2010, of calendar months after the previous
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH replacement.
Supplement Airplane Maintenance
Manual Cessna 172 & Reims F172 TAE 125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-20-01
(U.S.[dash]Version) Version: 2/4.
.................................... (ii) For groups 2, 4, and 6 airplanes: Follow page 7 of 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 (U.S.[dash]Version)
Version: 1/1.
(3) For groups 1 and 2 airplanes:
Before further flight after doing
Not applicable.
Incorporate Thielert Aircraft
the modification required in
Engines GmbH Supplemental Airplane paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating
Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane
Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable), TAE-No.: 20-0310- 21042, Issue 2-1, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook.
(4) For groups 3 and 4 airplanes:
Before further flight after doing
Not applicable.
Incorporate Thielert Aircraft
the modification required in
Engines GmbH Supplemental Airplane paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating
Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane
Flight Manual Supplement (as applicable), TAE-No.: 20-0310- 20042, Issue 2-1, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook.
(5) For groups 5 and 6 airplanes:
Before further flight after doing
Not applicable.
Incorporate Thielert Aircraft
the modification required in
Engines GmbH Supplemental Pilot's
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
Operating Handbook and FAA Approved
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement,
TAE-No.: 20-0310-22042, Issue 2-1, dated October 4, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook.
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.
(i) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Thielert Aircraft Engines Service GmbH, Platanenstra[szlig]e 14, D- 09350 Lichtenstein, Deutschland; telephone: +49 (37204) 696-1474; fax: +49 (37204) 696-1910; Internet: http://www.thielert.com/. You may review copies of the referenced 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 9, 2010.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
FR Doc. 2010-31428 Filed 12-14-10; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P