[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 207 (Thursday, October 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53802-53806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23186]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1138; Product Identifier 2017-NE-41-AD; Amendment 
39-19381; AD 2018-18-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Austro Engine GmbH Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 53803]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines and for all model E4P engines. This 
AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear on the timing chain on 
these engines. This AD requires replacement of the timing chain and 
amending certain airplane flight manuals to limit the use of windmill 
restarts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 29, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 29, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For Austro Engine GmbH service information identified in 
this final rule, contact Austro Engine GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, 
A-2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria; phone +43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 
23000-2711; internet: www.austroengine.at. For Diamond Aircraft 
Industries service information in this final rule, contact Diamond 
Aircraft Industries, N. A., Otto-Stra[szlig]e 5, A-2700 Wiener 
Neustadt, phone: +43 2622 26700, Fax: +43 2622 26780; internet: 
www.diamondaircraft.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1138.

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-2017-
1138; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
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: Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 
781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

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 certain Austro Engine GmbH 
model E4 engines and all model E4P engines. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 1, 2018 (83 FR 25410). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of considerable wear on the timing chain on these engines. 
The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the timing chain and 
amending certain airplane flight manuals to limit the use of windmill 
restarts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0103, dated June 14, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    The MCAI states:

    Considerable wear of the timing chain has been detected on some 
engines. This may have been caused by windmilling restarts, which 
are known to cause high stress to the timing chain. This condition, 
if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the timing 
chain and consequent engine power loss, possibly resulting in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Austro Engine 
included instructions in the engine maintenance manual to 
periodically inspect the condition of the timing chain and, 
depending on findings, to replace the timing chain and the chain 
wheel. The operation manual was updated to allow windmilling restart 
only as an emergency procedure.
    More recently, Austro Engines published Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) MSB-E4-017/2, providing instructions to replace the 
timing chain for engines with known windmilling restarts. For the 
reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires replacement of the 
timing chain for engines with known windmilling restarts, and 
requires amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).

    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-2017-1138.

Revision to Airplane Flight Manual

    We revised this AD to allow affected Austro Engine GmbH model E4 
engines installed on Diamond Aircraft Industries (DAI) model DA 42 NG 
and DA 42 M-NG airplanes and Austro Engine GbmH model E4P engines 
installed on DAI model DA 62 airplanes to comply with paragraph (g)(4) 
of this AD by adding, respectively, Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
Temporary Revision (TR) TR-M[Auml]M-42-973, and AFM TR TR-M[Auml]M-62-
240, both dated August 12, 2016. These actions are equivalent to 
inserting the information in figure (1) to paragraph (g)(4) of this AD 
into the respective airplane flight manuals.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Austro Engine MSB No. MSB-E4-017/2, Revision 2, dated 
December 2, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for replacement of the 
timing chain.
    We reviewed AFM TR TR-M[Auml]M-42-973, dated August 12, 2016, for 
DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG airplanes, and AFM TR TR- M[Auml]M-62-240, 
dated August 12, 2016, for DA 62 airplanes. These Temporary Revisions 
define the removal of the normal operation procedure for windmilling 
restart for the respective airplanes. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 211 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this 
AD:

[[Page 53804]]



                                                Estimated Costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Amend AFM.............................  1 work hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $17,935
Remove and replace timing chain.......   hour = $85.                        $775          $1,455        $307,005
                                        8 work hours x $85 per
                                         hour = $680.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

AD 2018-18-02; Austro Engine GmbH Engines: Amendment 39-19381; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1138; Product Identifier 2017-NE-41-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 29, 2018.

(b) Affected Ads

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines with 
serial numbers that have a ``-B'' or ``-C'' configuration and to 
model E4P engines, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8520, Reciprocating 
Engine Power Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of considerable wear on the 
timing chain on these engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the engine timing chain. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in failure of the engine timing chain, loss 
of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Determine whether the engine is a Group 1 or Group 2 engine 
as follows.
    (i) A Group 1 engine is an engine equipped with a timing chain 
that was installed on an engine that experienced a windmill restart, 
or an engine in which it cannot be determined if the engine 
experienced any windmilling restarts.
    (ii) A Group 2 engine is an engine that is equipped with a 
timing chain that has not experienced any windmilling restarts.
    (2) For Group 1 engines: Before the affected timing chain 
exceeds 945 engine flight hours (EFHs) since installation on an 
engine, or within 110 EFHs after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, replace the timing chain in accordance with 
the instructions in Technical Details, paragraph 2, in Austro Engine 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. MSB-E4-017/2, Revision 2, dated 
December 2, 2016.
    (3) For Group 1 and Group 2 engines: After the effective date of 
this AD, following each windmill restart of an engine, before the 
timing chain of that engine exceeds 945 EFHs since first 
installation on an engine, or within 110 EFHs after that windmilling 
restart, whichever occurs later, replace the timing chain in 
accordance with the instructions in Technical Details, paragraph 2, 
in Austro Engine MSB No. MSB-E4-017/2, Revision 2, dated December 2, 
2016.
    (4) For Group 1 and Group 2 engines: Within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, amend the applicable airplane flight 
manual under emergency procedures by adding the information in 
figure 1 to paragraph (g)(4) of this AD to limit the use of a 
windmilling restart to only an emergency procedure.

[[Page 53805]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25OC18.000

    (5) For affected Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines installed 
on Diamond Aircraft Industries (DAI) model DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG 
airplanes and for Austro Engine GbmH model E4P engines installed on 
DAI model DA 62 airplanes, using Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
Temporary Revision (TR) TR-M[Auml]M-42-973, and AFM TR TR-M[Auml]M-
62-240, both dated August 12, 2016, respectively, to update the 
applicable AFM is an acceptable method to comply with paragraph 
(g)(4) of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The manager, ECO Branch, 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7146; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to EASA AD 2017-0103, dated June 14, 2017, for more 
information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
it in Docket No. FAA-2017-1138.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Austro Engine Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB-E4-017/2, 
Revision 2, dated December 2, 2016.
    (ii) Diamond Aircraft Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary 
Revision (TR) TR-M[Auml]M-42-973, dated August 12, 2016.
    (iii) Diamond Aircraft AFM TR TR-M[Auml]M-62-240, dated August 
12, 2016.
    (3) For Austro Engine GmbH 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; internet: www.austroengine.at. For Diamond Aircraft 
Industries service information in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft 
Industries, N. A., Otto-Stra[szlig]e 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, 
phone: +43 2622 26700, Fax: +43 2622 26780; internet: 
www.diamondaircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202 741 6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 53806]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 19, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-23186 Filed 10-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P