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

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81660-81663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27444]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9000; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-027-AD; 
Amendment 39-18713; AD 2016-23-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various 
aircraft equipped with a BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (formerly Rotax 
Aircraft Engines) 912 A series engine. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as a manufacturing defect found in certain carburetor floats 
where an in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing could occur when 
the affected cylinder had reduced or blocked fuel supply. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 23, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 23, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9000; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 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-
Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, 
Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; Internet: 
www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at

[[Page 81661]]

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2016-9000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (formerly Rotax Aircraft Engines) 
912 A series engine. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
September 8, 2016 (81 FR 62037). The NPRM proposed to correct 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:

    Due to a quality escape in the manufacturing process of certain 
floats, Part Number (P/N) 861185, a partial separation of the float 
outer skin may occur during engine operation. Separated particles 
could lead to a restriction of the jets in the carburetor, possibly 
reducing or blocking the fuel supply to the affected cylinder.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-
flight engine shutdown and forced landing, possibly resulting in 
damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, BRP-Powertrain 
published Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB-912-069/ASB-914-051 
(single document, hereafter referred to as `the ASB' in this AD), 
providing instructions for identification and replacement of the 
affected parts.
    For the reasons stated above, this AD required identification 
and replacement of the affected floats with serviceable parts.
    This AD is republished to correct one typographical error in 
Table 2 of Appendix 2, and to include reference to revision 1 of the 
ASB in the Referenced Publications.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2016-9000-0002.

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:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> 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-Powertrain GmbH & CO KG Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (co-published as one 
document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016. The service information 
describes procedures for identifying and replacing defective carburetor 
floats. 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 65 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 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 $100 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $17,550, or $270 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 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-2016-
9000; 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 the NPRM, 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.

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:

2016-23-06 Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-18713; Docket No. FAA-
2016-9000; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 23, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 81662]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all serial numbers (S/N) of the airplanes 
listed in table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, that incorporate one of the following:
    (1) A BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (formerly Rotax Aircraft 
Engines) 912 A series engine having a serial number with a 
carburetor part number (P/N) and S/N listed in table 2 of paragraph 
(c) of this AD, installed as noted, in cylinder head position 1 
through 4; or
    (2) an engine that, after May 8, 2016, has had an affected 
float, P/N 861185, installed in service as part of the airframe. 
Affected floats were initially delivered between May 9, 2016, and 
July 17, 2016, and do not have three dots stamped on the surface, as 
shown in paragraph 3.3) of the Accomplishment/Instructions in Rotax 
Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-
051R1 (co-published as one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 
2016. A certification document (e.g., Form 1), delivery document or 
record of previous installation of the float are acceptable to 
determine an initial delivery on or before May 8, 2016.

              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     HK 36 TS and HK   912 A3
 GmbH.                           36 TC.
Diamond Aircraft Industries     DA20-A1.........  912 A3
 Inc..
HOAC-Austria..................  DV 20 KATANA....  912 A3
Iniziative Industriali          Sky Arrow 650 TC  912 A2
 Italiane S.p.A..
SCHEIBE-Flugzeugbau GmbH......  SF 25C..........  912 A2, 912 A3
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Table 2 of Paragraph (c)--Affected Carburetors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Cylinder     Carburetor P/N and S/
             Engine                   position               N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
912A1, 912A2, 912A3, 912A4......  1 or 3.........  P/N 892500--S/Ns
                                                    161138 through
                                                    161143, 161483
                                                    through 161490,
                                                    161493 through
                                                    161507, 161516
                                                    through 161518, and
                                                    161526.
                                  2 or 4.........  P/N 892505--S/Ns
                                                    162193, 162194,
                                                    162196 through
                                                    162199, and 162205.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 73: Engine--Fuel 
and Control.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a manufacturing 
defect found in certain carburetor floats. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to prevent the fuel supply to the affected cylinder 
from becoming reduced or blocked, which could cause an in-flight 
engine shutdown and result in a forced landing and damage to the 
airplane or injury to the occupants.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service after December 23, 
2016 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 30 days 
after December 23, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first, replace all affected floats with a serviceable float 
following paragraph (3) Accomplishment/Instructions in Rotax 
Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-
051R1 (co-published as one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 
2016.
    (2) As of December 23, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install a float, P/N 861185, that does not have three dots 
stamped on the surface, as shown in paragraph (3.3) of the 
Accomplishment/Instructions in Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert 
Service Bulletin ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (co-published as one 
document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016.

(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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 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) 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.: 
2016-0144, correction dated July 25, 2016, and BRP-Powertrain GmbH & 
CO KG Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-069/
ASB-914-051 (co-published as one document), dated July 14, 2016, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2016-9000-0002.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912-
069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (co-published as one document), Revision 1, 
dated July 22, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP 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: www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com.
    (4) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service 
information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9000.
    (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.


[[Page 81663]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 7, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27444 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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