[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55502-55504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24044]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0916; Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG 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 
certain BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Rotax) 912 and 914 model engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by power loss and engine revolutions per 
minute (RPM) drop on Rotax 912 and 914 model engines due to a quality 
control deficiency in the manufacturing process of certain valve push-
rod assemblies resulting in partial wear on the rocker arm ball socket 
and possible malfunction of the valve. This proposed AD would require a 
one-time inspection and, depending on the findings, replacement of the 
affected parts with parts eligible for installation. We are proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 21, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact BRP-Rotax 
GmbH & Co KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 
7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; email: [email protected]; 
internet: www.flyrotax.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

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-2018-
0916; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0916; 
Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0208, dated October 13, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 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

[[Page 55503]]

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.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0916.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Rotax Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 
R1/SB-914-052 R1 (single document), Revision 1, dated October 12, 2017. 
The SB describes procedures for inspection and replacement of the valve 
push-rod assembly and the left and 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.

FAA's Determination

    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 and service information referenced 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection and, depending 
on the findings, replacement of the affected parts with parts eligible 
for installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 150 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the push-rod rocker arm      1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85         $12,750
 ball sockets.                        = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We estimate that 50 engines will need this replacement.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the valve push-rod assembly  0.5 work-hours x $85 per             $3,000       $3,042.50        $152,125
 and rocker arm ball sockets.         hour = $42.50.
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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 engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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),
    (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

[[Page 55504]]

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

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):

BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG; 
Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co KG; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0916; Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 21, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Rotax) 912 F2, 912 F3, and 912 F4 
engines, with serial number (S/N) 4 413 066 to 4 413 067, inclusive; 
and S/N 4 413 101 to 4 413 111, inclusive;
    (2) Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 912 S4 engines, with S/Ns 9 563 
826 to 9 563 849, inclusive; S/Ns 9 564 301 to 9 564 508, inclusive; 
and S/N 9 564 510 to 9 564 534, inclusive;
    (3) Rotax 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines, with S/Ns 4 421 
581 to 4 421 597, inclusive; and S/N 4 421 701 to 4 421 833, 
inclusive; and
    (4) Rotax 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 S2, 912 S3, 912 S4, 914 
F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines (all S/Ns) on which a valve push-rod 
assembly has been replaced between June 8, 2016 and the effective 
date of this AD.

(d) Subject Condition

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8530, Reciprocating 
Engine Cylinder Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by power loss and engine revolutions per 
minute drop on Rotax 912 and 914 model engines due to a quality 
control deficiency in the manufacturing process of certain valve 
push-rod assemblies resulting in partial wear on the rocker arm ball 
socket and possible malfunction of the valve. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the valve push-rod assembly and the left and 
right rocker arms. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in loss of engine thrust control and reduced control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Visually inspect the push-rod ball sockets of each valve 
push-rod assembly in accordance with paragraph 3.1.2. of BRP-Rotax 
Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070 R1/SB-914-052 R1 
(single document), Revision 1, dated October 12, 2017, and within 
the following compliance times.
    (i) For engines with 160 engine flight hours (FHs) or fewer 
since new, inspect before exceeding 170 FHs since new, or within 
three months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first.
    (ii) For engines with greater than 160 engine FHs since new, 
inspect within 10 FHs, or three months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (2) If the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD 
finds a black surface color on a valve push-rod assembly, part 
number (P/N) 854861, then before further flight, remove the valve 
push-rod assembly and the left and right rocker arm ball sockets, P/
Ns 854383 and 854393, from service, and replace with parts eligible 
for installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a valve 
push-rod assembly, P/N 854861, that was manufactured between June 8, 
2016, and October 2, 2017, on any engine, or that exhibits a black 
surface color on the push-rod rocker arm ball sockets.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2017-0208, dated 
October 13, 2017, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD 
in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0916.
    (3) 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 601 9130; email: 
[email protected]; internet: www.flyrotax.com. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7759.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 30, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24044 Filed 11-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P