Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of several power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate controller lever. This proposed AD would require removing from service certain part number (P/N) waste gate controllers. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, which could result in loss of control and damage to the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Fax: 2 02-493-2251.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria, phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711, or go to: www.austroengine.at . You may view this 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 Operations office 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 Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-10-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 based on 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 with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0025, dated February 6, 2013 (referred to herein after as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Several power loss events have been reported on Austro E4 engines, due to fracture of the waste gate controller lever. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of power loss events, possibly resulting in forced landing, damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.

We are proposing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, which could result in loss of control and damage to the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Austro Engine GmbH has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-007/3, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Austria, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Austria, EASA has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require removing from service waste gate controllers, P/N E4A-41-120-000 Rev. 050 or lower, and waste gate controllers, P/N E4B-41-120-000 Rev. 000 during the next engine maintenance, or within 110 flight hours or three months after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 72 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about one hour per engine to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $6,120. 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

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); and

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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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.

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

Austro Engine GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0164; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-10-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by May 28, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines, with a waste gate controller, part number (P/N) E4A-41-120-000 Rev. 050 or lower revision, or a waste gate controller, P/N E4B-41-120-000 Rev. 000, installed.

(d) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of several power loss events due to fracture of the waste gate controller lever. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, which could result in loss of control and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

Unless already done, do the following during the next engine maintenance, or within 110 flight hours or within three months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(f) Remove from service waste gate controllers, P/N E4A-41-120-000 Rev. 050 or lower revision, and waste gate controllers, P/N E4B-41-120-000 Rev. 000.

(g) Installation Prohibition

After the effective date of this AD, do not install any waste gate controller, P/N E4A-41-120-000 Rev. 050 or lower revision, or waste gate controller, P/N E4B-41-120-000 Rev. 000, onto any engine.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request.

(i) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-238-7199; email: frederick.zink@faa.gov.

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2013-0025, dated February 6, 2013, and Austro Engine GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-007/3, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2012, for related information.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A-2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria, phone: +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000-2711, or go to: www.austroengine.at .

(4) You may view the 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.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 20, 2013.