AD 2011-05-06 Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 Reciprocating Engines

Makes named: thielert. Models named: DA 40, DA 42, DA 42M NG. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines installed in, but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series (European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. EASA.A.S.01527); Piper PA-28 series (EASA STC No. EASA.A.S. 01632); APEX (Robin) DR 400 series (EASA STC No. A.S.01380); and Diamond Aircraft Industries Models DA 40, DA 42, and DA 42M NG airplanes. Reason (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: Service experience has shown that fracture of the timing chain has occurred due to chain wear. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to in-flight cases of engine shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown leading to loss of control of the airplane by requiring life limits for the timing chain.

Unless already done, do the following actions. Initial Replacement of Timing Chain (1) For engines with serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the timing chain within 600 flight hours-since-new, or no later than 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Table 1—S/Ns of Engines Affected by the Compliance Time in Paragraph (e)(1) of This AD   02-02-01510 to 02-02-01514 inclusive 02-02-01518 to 02-02-01520 inclusive 02-02-01529 02-02-01717 02-02-01718 02-02-01720 02-02-01721 02-02-01727 02-02-01728 02-02-01730 to 02-02-01733 inclusive 02-02-01739 to 02-02-01752 inclusive (2) For engines with S/Ns not listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the timing chain within 910 flight hours-since-new, or no later than 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Repetitive Replacements of Timing Chains for All TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 Engines (3) Thereafter, for all TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines, repetitively replace the timing chain within every additional 910 flight hours. (4) Guidance on replacing the timing chain can be found in Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-1010 P1, Revision 2, dated May 26, 2010. FAA AD Differences (f) This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information, which require initial replacement of the timing chain for the engines listed in paragraph (e)(1) above within either the next 110 flight hours or at the next maintenance, whichever occurs first, for those engines having accumulated between 500 and 600 flight hours time-since-new. The reason for the difference is to ensure that the compliance requirements for all engines in paragraph (e)(1) above are consistent. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2010-0136, dated June 30, 2010, and Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-1010 P1, Revision 2, dated May 26, 2010, for related information. Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350, Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-55; e-mail: info@centurion-engines.com, for a copy of this service information. (i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: alan.strom@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) None. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 16, 2011. Peter A. White, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-3917 Filed 2-22-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. Initial Replacement of Timing Chain (1) For engines with serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the timing chain within 600 flight hours-since-new, or no later than 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Table 1—S/Ns of Engines Affected by the Compliance Time in Paragraph (e)(1) of This AD   02-02-01510 to 02-02-01514 inclusive 02-02-01518 to 02-02-01520 inclusive 02-02-01529 02-02-01717 02-02-01718 02-02-01720 02-02-01721 02-02-01727 02-02-01728 02-02-01730 to 02-02-01733 inclusive 02-02-01739 to 02-02-01752 inclusive (2) For engines with S/Ns not listed in Table 1 of this AD, replace the timing chain within 910 flight hours-since-new, or no later than 55 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Repetitive Replacements of Timing Chains for All TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 Engines (3) Thereafter, for all TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 engines, repetitively replace the timing chain within every additional 910 flight hours. (4) Guidance on replacing the timing chain can be found in Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-1010 P1, Revision 2, dated May 26, 2010. FAA AD Differences (f) This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information, which require initial replacement of the timing chain for the engines listed in paragraph (e)(1) above within either the next 110 flight hours or at the next maintenance, whichever occurs first, for those engines having accumulated between 500 and 600 flight hours time-since-new. The reason for the difference is to ensure that the compliance requirements for all engines in paragraph (e)(1) above are consistent. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2010-0136, dated June 30, 2010, and Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin No. TM TAE 125-1010 P1, Revision 2, dated May 26, 2010, for related information. Contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D-09350, Lichtenstein, Germany, telephone: +49-37204-696-0; fax: +49-37204-696-55; e-mail: info@centurion-engines.com, for a copy of this service information. (i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: alan.strom@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7143; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) None. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 16, 2011. Peter A. White, Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-3917 Filed 2-22-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P