Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16543 · Engine
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-28-161 Airplanes
This AD applies to Model PA-28-161 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
(1) Equipped with Thielert Aircraft Engine GmbH (TAE) Engine Model TAE-125-01 installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA03303AT; and
(2) Certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that are equipped with Thielert Aircraft Engine GmbH (TAE) Engine Model TAE-125-01 installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA03303AT. This AD requires installing a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) backup battery, replacing the supplement pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual, and revising the limitations section of the supplement airplane maintenance manual. 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.
To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Modify the engine electrical system by installing a backup battery system and associated wiring and circuitry | Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after February 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within 30 days after February 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first | Follow Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Service Bulletin TM TAE 651-0007, Revision 7, dated July 30, 2010. |
| (2) Revise the airworthiness limitations section to require repetitive replacement of the FADEC backup battery every 12 calendar months. Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative replacement times may be approved for this part | Before further flight after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD | Incorporate Chapter 40-AMM-04-01 “Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 1”, dated January 25, 2010, of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Airplane Maintenance Manual Piper PA28-161 TAE 125-01, Doc. No.: AMM-40-01 (US-Version) Version: 1/1, into TAE Airplane Maintenance Manual Supplement, Piper PA28/TAE 125-01, AMM-40-01 (US-Version), Rev. Issue 1, dated February 3, 2006. |
| (3) Incorporate Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Supplement Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, TAE-No.: 40-0310-40042, issue 2, revision 0, dated June 1, 2010, into the pilot's operating handbook | Before further flight after doing the modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD | Not applicable. |
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
