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

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54385-54387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21329]



[[Page 54385]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0738; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-022-AD; 
Amendment 39-17568; AD 2013-17-04]
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 oil leaks in the intake channel in the area of 
the valve guide on some cylinder heads could increase the oil 
consumption and result in engine stoppage. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 24, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 24, 
2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 21, 2013.

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 AD 
No. 2013-0117-E, dated May 30, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    During a production test run, a non-compliance of the installed 
cylinder head assembly of cylinder no. 2 and 3 (2/3) was detected, 
which may result in a latent defect on a limited number of engines. 
The affected cylinder heads may not have been manufactured in 
accordance with the specification.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an 
oil leak in the intake channel in the area of the valve guide. The 
affected non-conforming cylinder heads may have small machined 
through holes, which can increase the oil consumption and can lead 
to oil starvation, possibly resulting in engine stoppage or in-
flight engine shutdown and forced landing, with consequent risk of 
damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address and correct this potential unsafe condition, EASA 
issued Emergency AD 2013-0055-E to require a one-time inspection of 
the affected cylinder head assemblies, known to be installed on 
certain s/n engines and, depending on findings, replacement of the 
cylinder head assembly.
    Since that AD was issued, it was found that more engines are 
likely to have an affected cylinder head assembly installed than 
initially determined. In addition, it has been found that some 
affected cylinder head assemblies, identified by Part Number (P/N) 
623682 and P/N 623687, have inadvertently been supplied as spares, 
between 31 January 2013 and 28 May 2013.
    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0055-E, which is superseded, but 
expands the Applicability to all engines, as it cannot be determined 
in which s/n engines the affected spare cylinder head assemblies are 
installed.
    This AD also prohibits installation of an affected cylinder head 
assembly on an engine, or a replacement engine on an aeroplane, 
unless the affected cylinder head assembly of that engine is 
inspected 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-
912-062R2, Revision 2 and ASB-914-044R2, Revision 2 (co-published as 
one document), dated May 29, 2013. 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 an 
oil leak in the intake channel in the area of the valve guide on some 
cylinder heads could increase the oil consumption and result in engine 
stoppage. 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

[[Page 54386]]

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-2013-0738; Directorate Identifier 
2013-CE-022-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 50 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,125, or $42.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1.5 work-hours and require parts costing $2,500, for a cost 
of $2,627.50 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.

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:

2013-17-04 Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-17568; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0738; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-022-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 
24, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all serial numbers of the airplanes listed in 
table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, that are:
    (1) equipped with a Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A series engine 
with a part number (P/N) 623682 cylinder head assembly (2/3) 
installed; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

              Table 1 of Paragraph (c)--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    912 A3
                                    TC.
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--
Reciprocating.

(e) Reason

    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 oil leaks in the 
intake channel in the area of the valve guide on some cylinder 
heads, which could increase the oil consumption and result in engine 
stoppage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct excessive oil 
consumption, which could result in engine stoppage.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within the next 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or within the 
next 20 days after September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this 
AD), whichever occurs first, inspect the cylinder head assembly of 
cylinder 2 and 3 (2/3) for excessive oil consumption following 
Section 3 of Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-
912-062R2 and ASB-914-044R2 (co-published as one document), Revision 
2, dated May 29, 2013.

[[Page 54387]]

    (2) During the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
AD, if excessive deposits (oil or carbon) are found on the spark 
plugs, before further flight, replace the affected cylinder head 
assembly with a serviceable one. Do the replacement following 
Section 3 of Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-
912-062R2 and ASB-914-044R2 (co-published as one document), Revision 
2, dated May 29, 2013.
    (3) As of September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), 
only install an engine affected by this AD provided it has been 
inspected as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and corrected 
as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
    (4) As September 24, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), any 
spare cylinder head assembly P/N 623682 installed must be inspected 
within 5 hour TIS after installation following Section 3 of Rotax 
Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-062R2 and ASB-
914-044R2 (co-published as one document), Revision 2, dated May 29, 
2013, and corrected as necessary.

(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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2013-0117-E, dated May 30, 2013, for related information, which can 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-
062R2, Revision 2, dated May 29, 2013.
    (ii) Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-914-
044R2, Revision 2, dated May 29, 2013.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2):  Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert 
Service Bulletins ASB-912-062R2, Revision 2, dated May 29, 2013; and 
ASB-914-044R2, Revision 2, dated May 29, 2013, are co-published as 
one document.

    (3) For Rotax Aircraft Engines 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.
    (4) 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.
    (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 August 14, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-21329 Filed 9-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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