[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59950-59952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24842]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG 914 F2, 
914 F3, and 914 F4 Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed 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:

    Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on 
the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure regulators, Part 
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and 
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly 
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.

    These affected fuel pressure regulators may have non-conforming 
threads in the banjo bolt fitting for the fuel return line to the fuel 
tank from original manufacture. These non-conforming threads could 
result in fuel leakage during engine operation. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in an in-flight fire and 
damage to the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 14, 
2011.

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: 202-493-2251.

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: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 781-238-7199.

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-2011-1022; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-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 2011-0082, dated May 10, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe

[[Page 59951]]

condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on 
the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure regulators, Part 
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and 
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly 
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.

    These affected fuel pressure regulators may have non-conforming 
threads in the banjo bolt fitting for the fuel return line to the fuel 
tank from original manufacture. These non-conforming threads could 
result in fuel leakage during engine operation, in-flight fire, and 
damage to the airplane.
    For the reasons described above, this proposed AD would require the 
replacement of all affected P/N 887130 fuel pressure regulators with 
parts eligible for installation. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI. 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 the replacement of 
all affected P/N 887130 fuel pressure regulators with parts eligible 
for installation, within 100 flight hours after the effective date of 
the proposed AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    The EASA AD requires replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 
100 flight hours (FH) or 6 months after the effective date of that AD, 
whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would require replacing the 
fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH after the effective date of this 
proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 75 products of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours 
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $180 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $26,250.

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 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG (formerly Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): 
Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 14, 2011.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG 914 F2, 914 
F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines with certain fuel pressure 
regulators, part number (P/N) 887130 installed.

Reason

    (d) This AD results from:
    Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on 
the threads of a certain batch of Fuel pressure Regulators, Part 
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and 
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly 
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    We are issuing this AD prevent to fuel leaks, which could result 
in an in-flight fire and damage to the aircraft.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 100 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of 
this AD, replace fuel pressure regulators listed in Table 1 of this 
AD with a fuel pressure regulator that is not listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, and is eligible for installation.
    (f) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any fuel 
pressure regulator P/N 887130 onto any engine, if the fuel pressure 
regulator has a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of this AD.
    (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
Rotax 914 F series engine on any airplane if it has installed in it 
a fuel pressure regulator P/N 887130 with a S/N listed in Table 1 of 
this AD.

     Table 1--S/Ns of Affected Fuel Pressure Regulators, P/N 887130
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100200 through 100246 inclusive.
100248 through 100280 inclusive.
100282 through 100293 inclusive.
100295 through 100314 inclusive.
100316 and 100317.
100319 through 100326 inclusive.
100330.
100332 and 100333.

[[Page 59952]]

 
100338 through 100340 inclusive.
100342 through 100345 inclusive.
100348.
100350 through 100355 inclusive.
100357 through 100363 inclusive.
100365 through 100368 inclusive.
100371 and 100372.
100374 through 100376 inclusive.
100379 and 100380.
100395 and 100396.
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FAA AD Differences

    (h) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) by the compliance time. The MCAI requires 
replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH or 6 months 
after the effective date of EASA AD 2011-0082, dated May 10, 2011. 
This AD requires replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH 
after the effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) 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

    (j) Refer to MCAI Airworthiness Directive 2011-0082, dated May 
10, 2011, for related information.
    (k) Contact Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; 
phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 781-238-7199, for more information about 
this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24842 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P