[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6107-6110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02747]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 6107]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1078; Product Identifier 2017-CE-038-AD; Amendment 
39-19178; AD 2018-03-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With BRP-
Rotax GmbH & Co KG 912 A Series Engine

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various 
aircraft equipped with a BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG; Bombardier-
Rotax GmbH) 912 A series engine. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as defective valve push-rod assemblies manufactured from June 
8, 2016, through October 2, 2017. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 20, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1078; or in person at Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-Rotax 
GmbH & Co. KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 
7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 6370; internet: http://www.flyrotax.com. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-1078.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to various aircraft equipped 
with a BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG; 
Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) 912 A series 
engine. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 
2017 (82 FR 55527). The NPRM proposed to address an unsafe condition 
for the specified products and was based on mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country.
    The MCAI states:

    Power loss and engine RPM drop have been reported on Rotax 912/
914 engines in service. It has been determined that, due to a 
quality control deficiency in the manufacturing process of certain 
valve push-rod assemblies, manufactured between 08 June 2016 and 02 
October 2017 inclusive, partial wear on the rocker arm ball socket 
may occur, which may lead to malfunction of the valve train.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to rough 
engine operation and loss of power, possibly resulting in a forced 
landing, with consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, BRP-Rotax issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912 i-008/SB-912-070/SB-914-052 (single 
document), providing applicable instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection and, depending on findings, replacement of affected 
parts. This [EASA] AD also prohibits installation of affected parts 
on an engine].

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1078-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP 
Service Bulletin SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 R1/SB-914-052 R1 (co-
published as one document), Revision 1, dated October 12, 2017. The 
service information describes procedures for inspecting and, if 
necessary, replacing the valve push-rod assembly on the left and/or 
right rocker arms. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 63 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic inspection requirement of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $70 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $9,765, or $155 per product.

[[Page 6108]]

    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 2 work-hours to replace all 8 valve push-rod assemblies and 
associated parts on all 4 cylinders and require parts costing $3,093, 
for a cost of $3,263 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of products that may need these actions.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1078; or in person at the Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations (telephone 
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 AD:

2018-03-05 Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-19178; Docket No. FAA-
2017-1078; Product Identifier 2017-CE-038-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 20, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all serial numbers of the airplanes listed in 
table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any category 
that are either:
    (1) Equipped with a BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG; 
Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) 912 A series engine (Rotax 912 A series 
engine) with a serial number (S/N) listed in table 2 to paragraph 
(c) of this AD; or
    (2) equipped with a Rotax 912 A series engine with any S/N that 
has had a part number (P/N) 854861 valve push-rod assembly replaced 
in-service (e.g., during engine repair, maintenance, or general 
overhaul) during the time frame of June 8, 2016, to the effective 
date of this AD.

[[Page 6109]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13FE18.004

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13FE18.005

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 72: 
Reciprocating Engine.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as defective valve 
push-rod assemblies manufactured from June 8, 2016, through October 
2, 2017. We are issuing this AD to prevent rough engine operation, 
which could cause loss of power and result in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) For aircraft with engines that have 160 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or less since first installed: Before exceeding 170 
hours TIS on the engine since first installed or within the next 3 
months after March 20, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first, visually inspect the valve push-rod ball 
sockets of each valve push-rod using the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Service Bulletin SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-
912-070 R1/SB-914-052 R1 (co-published as one document), Revision 1, 
dated October 12, 2017 (Rotax SB SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 R1/SB-
914-052 R1).
    (2) For airplanes with engines that have 160 hours TIS or more 
since first installed: Within the next 10 hours TIS after March 20, 
2018 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 3 months 
after March 20, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first, visually inspect the valve push-rod ball sockets of 
each valve push-rod using the Accomplishment Instructions in Rotax 
SB SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 R1/SB-914-052 R1.
    (3) For all affected airplanes: If a valve push-rod with a black 
surface is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) 
or (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace the valve push-
rod and its affected parts with airworthy parts using the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Rotax SB SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 
R1/SB-914-052 R1.
    (4) For all affected airplanes: As of March 20, 2018 (the 
effective date of this AD), do not install a valve push-rod that was 
manufactured from June 8, 2016, through October 2, 2017.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-
4090; email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch, FAA; or European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Community.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No. 2017-0208, dated October 13, 2017, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1078-0002.

(i) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Service Bulletin SB-912 i-008 R1/
SB-912-070 R1/SB-914-052 R1 (co-published as one document), Revision 
1, dated October 12, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG service information identified in 
this AD, contact BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 
Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 6370; 
Internet: http://www.flyrotax.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1078.

[[Page 6110]]

    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 Kansas City, Missouri, on February 5, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02747 Filed 2-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P