[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1815-1817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-486]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-13939; AD 2005-01-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Type 912 F, 912 
S, and 914 F Series Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Type 912 F, 912 S, and 914 F series 
reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires venting of the 
lubrication system and inspection of the valve train on all engines. 
That AD also requires venting of the lubrication system of all engines 
on which the lubrication system has been opened, and any engine on 
which the propeller has been rotated one full turn in the wrong 
direction. This AD requires similar actions, and also requires removing 
the existing part number oil dipstick from service and installing a new 
oil dipstick. This AD results from the need to clarify the mandated 
procedures for inspections and venting. This AD also results from the 
manufacturer discovering that under certain circumstances, the oil 
level in the oil tank can fall below the minimum level required to 
sustain proper engine lubrication. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
damage to the engine valve train due to inadequate venting of the 
lubrication system, which can result in an in-flight engine failure and 
forced landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 15, 2005. The Director of the 
Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of 
certain publications as listed in the regulations as of October 28, 
2002 (67 FR 65033, October 23, 2002).

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, Gunskirchen, Austria; telephone 7246-601-
423; fax 7246-601-760.
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA. You may examine the service information, at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Woldan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park; telephone (781) 238-7136; fax (781) 238-
7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2002-21-
16. The proposed AD applies to Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Type 912 F, 912 S, 
and 914 F series reciprocating engines. We published the proposed AD in 
the Federal Register on August 12, 2004 (69 FR 49829). That action 
proposed to do the following:
     At the next oil change, or within 100 hours TIS after the 
effective date of the AD, whichever is later, remove the oil dipstick, 
part number (P/N) 956150, from service, and install a serviceable 
dipstick that has a different P/N.
     Before the next engine start for engines with 50 hours or 
less time-in-service (TIS) on the effective date of the AD, since the 
engine had the oil system opened, or the oil was changed using other 
than specified procedures, or the propeller was rotated more than one 
turn in the wrong direction of rotation, inspect for valve train 
damage, proper venting of the lubrication system and inspect for the 
correct venting of the hydraulic valve tappets.
     Thereafter, for all engines, properly vent the lubrication 
system before starting the engine, after any of the following:
     Initial installation of a new or overhauled engine;
     Opening the oil system;
     Changing the oil using improper procedures;
     The propeller was rotated more than one turn in the wrong 
direction of rotation, allowing air to be ingested into the valve train 
components.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 624 Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Type 912 F, 912 S, and 
914 F series reciprocating engines of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. We estimate that 282 engines installed on aircraft of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. We also estimate that it 
will take about one work hour per engine to perform one oil system 
inspection and venting, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost about $0.85 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be 
$18,570.

[[Page 1816]]

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 have determined that 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); and
    (3) 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2002-NE-33-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Amendment 39-12923 (67 FR 
65033, October 23, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-13939, to read as follows:

2005-01-14 Bombardier-Rotax GmbH: Amendment 39-13939. Docket No. 
2002-NE-33-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-21-16 (Amendment 39-12923).

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
15, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-21-16.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F, 912 S, and 
914 F series reciprocating engines. These engines are installed on, 
but not limited to, Diamond Aircraft Industries, DA20-A1, Diamond 
Aircraft Industries GmbH Model HK 36 TTS, Model HK 36TTC, and Model 
HK 36 TTC-ECO, Iniziative Industriali Italiane S.p.A. Sky Arrow 650 
TC and Sky Arrow 650 TCN, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
ltda., Models AMT-300 and AMT-200S, and Stemme S10-VT aircraft.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the manufacturer discovering that under 
certain circumstances, the oil level in the oil tank can fall below 
the minimum level required to sustain proper engine lubrication. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent damage to the 
engine valve train due to inadequate venting of the lubrication 
system, which can result in an in-flight engine failure and forced 
landing.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Initial Venting and Inspection for Correct Venting

    (f) Before the next engine start, for all Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 
912 F, 912 S, and 914 F series reciprocating engines that have not 
been operated since doing any of the actions identified in section 
1.5(a) of Rotax Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB-912-036/SB-914-
022, Revision 1, dated August 2002, do the following:
    (1) Perform venting of the lubrication system; and
    (2) Perform inspection for correct venting of the hydraulic 
valve tappets. Use Section 3.1.1 through section 3.1.4 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Rotax MSB SB-912-036/SB-914-022, 
Revision 1, dated August 2002 to do the venting and inspection.

Inspection of Engine Valve Train

    (g) Before the next engine start, for all Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 
912 F, 912 S, and 914 F series reciprocating engines that have been 
operated for 50 hours or less on the effective date of this AD since 
doing any of the actions identified in section 1.5 (b) of Rotax MSB 
SB-912-036/SB-914-022, Revision 1, dated August 2002, do the 
following:
    (1) Disassemble and perform inspection of the engine valve 
train; and
    (2) Reassemble, vent the lubrication system, and inspect for 
correct venting of the hydraulic valve tappets. Use Section 3.1.5 
through Section 3.1.7 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Rotax 
MSB SB-912-036/SB-914-022, Revision 1, dated August 2002.

Repetitive Venting of the Lubrication System

    (h) Thereafter, for all Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F, 912 S, and 
914 F series reciprocating engines, after doing any of the actions 
in the following paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4), vent the 
lubrication system and inspect for correct venting of the hydraulic 
valve tappets before starting the engine. Use section 3.1.1 through 
section 3.1.4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Rotax MSB SB-
912-036/SB-914-022, Revision 1, dated August 2002 to do the venting 
and inspecting.
    (1) The installation of a new or overhauled engine.
    (2) The oil system has been opened allowing air to enter the 
valve train (e.g. oil pump, oil cooler, oil suction line removed 
which allows oil to drain from the engine oil galleries).
    (3) The engine oil was changed using procedures other than those 
included in section 1.2 of Rotax MSB SB-912-036/SB-914-022 Revision 
1, dated August 2002.
    (4) The propeller was turned more than one turn in the wrong 
direction of rotation.

Removal of Existing Oil Dipstick From Service

    (i) At the next oil change or within 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later, remove the 
oil dipstick, part number (P/N) 956150, from service, and install a 
dipstick that has a different P/N. Information on removing oil 
dipstick P/N 956150 from service can be found in Rotax MSB SB-912-
040/SB-914-026, Revision 1, dated August 2003.

Prohibition of Oil Dipstick, P/N 956150

    (j) After the effective date of this AD, do not use dipstick P/N 
956150 after complying with paragraph (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Special Flight Permits

    (l) Special flight permits are not allowed.

[[Page 1817]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB-912-036/SB-914-022 Revision 1, dated August 2002, to 
perform the venting and inspecting required by this AD. The Director 
of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by 
reference of this Mandatory Service Bulletin in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, on October 23, 2002 (67 FR 65033). 
You can get a copy from Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, Gunskirchen, Austria; 
telephone 7246-601-423; fax 7246-601-760. You can review a copy at 
the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Related Information

    (n) Austro Control airworthiness directives No. 113R1, dated 
August 30, 2002, and No. 116, dated September 15, 2003, and Rotax 
Service Instruction SI-04-1997, Revision 3, dated September 2002 
also address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 3, 2005.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-486 Filed 1-10-05; 8:45 am]
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