Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1626-1628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0001; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-041-AD; 
Amendment 39-16912; AD 2012-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With Rotax 
Aircraft Engines 912 A Series Engine

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various 
aircraft equipped with Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A series engine. This 
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as a deviation in the manufacturing process of 
certain part number 888164 crankshafts that may cause cracks on the 
surface of the crankshaft on the power take off side, which could lead 
to failure of the crankshaft support bearing and possibly result in an 
in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 26, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 26, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, 
Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; Internet: 
http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2011-0224-E, dated November 24, 2011 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    During a production process review, a deviation (double side 
straightening) in the manufacturing process of certain Part Number 
(P/N) 888164 crankshafts has been detected, which may have resulted 
in cracks on the surface of the crankshaft. Only a few

[[Page 1627]]

crankshafts are suspected to have received this double side 
straightening treatment, but it has been impossible to identify 
these by individual serial number (s/n). To address this safety 
concern, BRP-Powertrain issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-059 
and ASB-914-042 (single document) with instructions to identify and 
inspect the entire batch of crankshafts that could be affected. 
These crankshafts have been installed on a limited number of 
engines, but some crankshaft sets have also been shipped as spare 
parts.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
crack propagation on the power take off side of the crankshaft 
journal, possibly resulting in failure of the crankshaft support 
bearing, in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing, damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To correct this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued 
Emergency AD 2011-022-E to require the identification and inspection 
for cracks of all affected crankshafts, and depending on findings, 
corrective action.
    Since that AD was issued, it has been determined that there are 
additional affected crankshafts, currently known to be installed in 
the `UL' (i.e. non-certified) versions of the affected engines.
    For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirements 
of EASA AD 2011-0222-E, which is superseded, and expands the group 
of s/n of affected crankshafts, listed in Table 1 of this AD. A 
records check can be acceptable to determine the s/n of the 
crankshaft installed on the engine. This AD also prohibits 
installation of any affected crankshaft on an engine, or 
installation of an aeroplane of an engine with an affected 
crankshaft installed, unless the crankshaft has passed the 
inspection as required by this AD.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB-
912-059 and ASB-914-042 (single document), dated November 15, 2011. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have 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 the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

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 of 
the short compliance time of 4 hours time-in-service, and the risk to 
single-engine airplanes affected. 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-2012-0001; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-CE-041-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 we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 112 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 31 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $5,400 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $899,920, or $8,035 per product.

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 that 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.

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:

2012-01-01 Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-16912; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0001; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-041-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 26, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 1628]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all serial numbers of the airplanes listed in 
table 1 of this AD, that are:
    (1) Equipped with a Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A series engine, 
with a part number (P/N) 888164 crankshaft installed, serial numbers 
40232 through 40267, 40293 through 40374, 40408 through 40433, and 
40435 through 40507; and
    (2) Certificated in any category.

                       Table 1--Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Type certificate holder           Aircraft model      Engine  model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aeromot-Ind[uacute]stria          AMT-200................  912 A2
 Mec[acirc]nico-
 Metal[uacute]rgica Ltda.
Diamond Aircraft Industries.....  HK 36 R ``SUPER          912 A
                                   DIMONA''.
DIAMOND AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES GmbH  HK 36 TS and HK 36 TC..  912 A3
Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.  DA20-A1................  912 A3
HOAC-Austria....................  DV 20 KATANA...........  912 A3
Iniziative Industriali Italiane   Sky Arrow 650 TC.......  912 A2
 S.p.A.
SCHEIBE-Flugzeugbau GmbH........  SF 25C.................  912 A2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a deviation 
(double side straightening) in the manufacturing process of certain 
P/N 888164 crankshafts that may cause cracks on the surface of the 
crankshaft on the power take off side, which could lead to failure 
of the crankshaft support bearing. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the crankshaft support bearing, which could result in 
engine failure and forced landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 4 hours time-in-service after January 26, 2012 (the 
effective date of this AD), inspect the crankshaft for cracks. Do 
the inspection following the Accomplishment Instructions in Rotax 
Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-059 and ASB-914-
042 (single document), dated November 15, 2011.
    (2) If any crack is found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, remove the 
crankshaft from service.
    (3) As of January 26, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install on any airplane an engine equipped with an affected P/N 
888164 crankshaft listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, unless the 
crankshaft is inspected as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD 
and is found to be crack free.
    (4) As of January 26, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install in any engine an affected P/N 888164 crankshaft listed 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, unless the crankshaft is inspected 
as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and is found to be crack 
free.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2011-
0224-E, dated November 24, 2011, and Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-059 and ASB-914-042 (single 
document), dated November 15, 2011, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB-912-059 and ASB-914-042 (single document), dated 
November 15, 2011, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, 
Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; Internet: 
http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 3, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-202 Filed 1-10-12; 8:45 am]
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