[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51462-51464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20748]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0603; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-17-AD;
Amendment 39-17160; AD 2012-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax
Reciprocating Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3;
and 912 S4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacing the
pressure side fuel hose on certain fuel pumps and inspecting the
carburetors connected to those fuel pumps for contamination within 5
flight hours after the effective date of this AD. This AD was prompted
by reports of fuel pumps having pressure side fuel hoses not meeting
the design specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent pressure
side fuel hose deterioration and contamination of the carburetor, which
could result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing and damage
to the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 10, 2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 9, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines Alert
Service Bulletin No. ASB-912-061R1, dated May 31, 2012, listed in the
AD as of September 10, 2012.
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: 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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen,
Austria, or go to: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
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 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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 51463]]
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2012-0097-E, dated May 31, 2012, and AD 2012-0097R1, dated June 1,
2012 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Reports from the field confirmed a non-compliance of the
pressure side fuel hoses installed on certain P/N 893114 fuel pumps,
which may have resulted in a latent defect on a limited number of
engines. The affected hoses may not be fuel resistant in accordance
with the specification. This condition, if not corrected, could lead
to detachment of particles from the fuel hose and irregularities in
the carburetor function, possibly resulting in in-flight engine
shutdown, and forced landing, damage to the aeroplane and injury to
occupants.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG has issued Alert Service Bulletin No.
ASB-912-061R1, dated May 31, 2012. The actions described in this
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of
Austria, 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 and service
information referenced above. We are issuing 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 AD requires replacing the pressure side fuel
hose on certain fuel pumps and inspecting the carburetors connected to
those fuel pumps for contamination within 5 flight hours after the
effective date of the AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
compliance time in this AD is within 5 flight hours after the effective
date of the AD. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30
days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0603; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NE-17-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
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 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).
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 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 this AD:
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 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.
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):
2012-16-13 BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-Rotax GmbH &
Co KG, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH):
Amendment 39-17160; Docket No. FAA-2012-0603; Directorate Identifier
2012-NE-17-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September
10, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912
F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; and 912 S4 reciprocating engines, with a
fuel pump part number (P/N) 893114 having a serial number (S/N)
listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:
[[Page 51464]]
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Affected Fuel Pump S/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.3117 through 11.3325 inclusive.
11.4036 through 11.4355 inclusive.
11.4516 through 11.4595 inclusive.
12.0251 through 12.0270 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of fuel pumps having pressure
side fuel hoses not meeting the design specification. We are issuing
this AD to prevent pressure side fuel hose deterioration and
contamination of the carburetor, which could result in an in-flight
engine shutdown, forced landing and damage to the airplane.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, within 5 flight hours after the effective
date of the AD do the following:
(1) Replace the pressure side fuel hose on the fuel pump with a
fuel hose eligible for installation on the pressure side of the fuel
pump.
(2) Inspect the carburetors for contamination. Use paragraph
3.1.2 of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines Alert
Service Bulletin No. ASB-912-061R1, dated May 31, 2012, to perform
your inspection.
(f) Definition
For the purpose of this AD, a fuel hose eligible for
installation is one that was not from any of the affected fuel pumps
with an S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
(g) Installation Prohibition
(1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a P/N
893114 fuel pump with an S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of
this AD onto any engine, unless the pressure side fuel hose has been
replaced as required by this AD.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a Rotax
912 engine with a P/N 893114 fuel pump with an S/N listed in Table 1
to paragraph (c) of this AD in any airplane unless it has been
inspected and the pressure side fuel hose replaced as required by
this AD.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do approve for return
to service any product or article with a fuel hose removed from a P/
N 893114 fuel pump with an S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of
this AD.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Engine Certification Office, may approve AMOCs for
this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your
request.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Strom,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-
7199.
(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2012-0097-E,
dated May 31, 2012, and AD 2012-0097R1, dated June 1, 2012, for
related information.
(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) BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines Alert
Service Bulletin No. ASB-912-061R1, dated May 31, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG service information
identified in this AD, contact BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Welser
Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria, or go to: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
(5) You may view this service information 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.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 30, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20748 Filed 8-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P