Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax Reciprocating Engines

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 155 (Monday, August 12, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48795-48797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18528]



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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 155 / Monday, August 12, 2013 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 48795]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0263; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-17535; AD 2013-15-19]
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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax model 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 
912 S2; 912 S3; 912 S4; 914 F2; 914 F3; and 914 F4 reciprocating 
engines. That AD required a one-time visual inspection for excessive 
oil or carbon deposits on the cylinder No. 2 and No. 3 (\2/3\) spark 
plug center and grounding electrodes, and if found, replacement of the 
cylinder head before further flight. This AD was prompted by a report 
that additional engine cylinder heads are likely to be affected. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent excessive oil consumption, which could 
result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing, and damage to 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2013.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by September 26, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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; Internet: http://www.FLYROTAX.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 Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Zink, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On April 4, 2013, we issued AD 2013-07-12, amendment 39-17416 (78 
FR 22166, April 15, 2013), for certain BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG 
Rotax model 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; 912 S4; 914 F2; 914 
F3; and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. That AD required a one-time 
visual inspection for excessive oil or carbon deposits on the \2/3\ 
spark plug center and grounding electrodes, and if found, replacement 
of the cylinder head before further flight. That AD resulted from a 
report of certain cylinder heads not manufactured to proper 
specification. We issued that AD to prevent excessive oil consumption, 
which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing, and 
damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-07-12 (78 FR 22166, April 15, 2013), we 
received a report that additional engine cylinder heads are likely to 
be affected. In addition, some affected cylinder head assemblies, part 
number (P/N) 623682 and P/N 623687, were supplied as spares between 
January 31, 2013 and May 28, 2013. Also, since we issued AD 2013-07-12, 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2013-0117-E, 
dated May 30, 2013, which supersedes and retains the requirements of 
EASA AD 2013-0055-E and expands the applicability to include all model 
912 and 914 engines.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax Aircraft Engines 
Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin (MASB) No. ASB-912-062, Revision 2 and 
ASB-914-044, Revision 2 (provided as one document), dated May 29, 2013. 
The service information describes procedures for inspecting cylinder 
head assemblies for evidence of excessive oil consumption.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the center and 
grounding electrodes of both top and bottom spark plugs on cylinder \2/
3\ for unusual deposits and to replace, before further flight, those 
cylinder heads not manufactured to proper specification.

FAA's Justification and 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

[[Page 48796]]

time requirement. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
``Docket No. FAA-2013-0263; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-12-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 affects about 197 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 
hours per engine to inspect a cylinder head assembly. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $33,490.

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

    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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2013-07-12, Amendment 39-17416 (78 FR 22166, April 15, 2013) and adding 
the following new AD:

2013-15-19 BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-Rotax GmbH & 
Co KG, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): 
Amendment 39-17535; Docket No. FAA-2013-0263; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NE-12-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 27, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-07-12, Amendment 39-17416 (78 FR 
22166, April 15, 2013)

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co KG 
Rotax reciprocating engines:
    (1) Rotax 912F from serial number (S/N) 4,413.013 to S/N 
4,413.019, inclusive.
    (2) Rotax 912S, from S/N 4,924.468 to S/N 4,924.543, inclusive.
    (3) Rotax 914F, from S/N 4,421.156 to S/N 4,421.177, inclusive.
    (4) All Rotax 912F, 912S, and 914F engines with cylinder head 
assembly, part number (P/N) 623682 or P/N 623687, supplied by BRP-
Powertrain between January 31, 2013, and May 28, 2013, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that additional engine cylinder 
heads are likely to be affected. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
excessive oil consumption, which could result in an in-flight engine 
shutdown, forced landing, and damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 5 flight hours or 20 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-time visual 
inspection of the center and grounding electrodes of both top and 
bottom spark plugs on cylinder 2 and cylinder 3, for unusual 
deposits of excessive oil or carbon deposits. Any excessive oil or 
carbon deposits indicate the cylinder head is not manufactured to 
proper specification and is leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
    (2) Before further flight, replace cylinder heads not 
manufactured to proper specification.
    (3) From the effective date of this AD, installation on an 
engine of an affected spare cylinder head assembly part number (P/N) 
623682 or P/N 623687, supplied by BRP-Powertrain between January 31, 
2013, and May 28, 2013, is prohibited unless the engine, with the 
spare cylinder head installed, is test run for at least 20 minutes 
and the inspection called out in paragraph (e) (1) of this AD is 
accomplished. If the cylinder head fails the inspection required by 
paragraph (e) (1) of this AD, remove the cylinder head assembly 
before further flight.

(f) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, unusual deposits (excessive carbon 
or oil) is when:
    (1) Carbon is a visual buildup of dark carbon deposits on the 
center and grounding electrodes as well as the immediate surrounding 
area, and
    (2) Excessive oil is a visual buildup indicated by the presence 
of oil on the center and grounding electrodes as well as the 
immediate surrounding area, giving a wet appearance.

(g) 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.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frederick Zink, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England

[[Page 48797]]

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7779; fax: 781-
238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0117-E, dated May 30, 2013, and BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Alert 
Service Bulletin (MASB) No. ASB-912-062, Revision 2 and ASB-914-044, 
Revision 2 (provided as one document), dated May 29, 2013, for 
related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, 
Austria; Internet: http://www.FLYROTAX.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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 24, 2013.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18528 Filed 8-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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