AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE)
TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. This AD was
prompted by in-flight engine shutdown incidents reported on airplanes
equipped with TAE 125 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-
flight engine shutdown, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective March 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: 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: engines.com">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.

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 AD, 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: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

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.

Comments

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).

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

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.

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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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