[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59950-59952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24842]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG 914 F2,
914 F3, and 914 F4 Reciprocating 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 the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on
the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure regulators, Part
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
These affected fuel pressure regulators may have non-conforming
threads in the banjo bolt fitting for the fuel return line to the fuel
tank from original manufacture. These non-conforming threads could
result in fuel leakage during engine operation. We are proposing this
AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in an in-flight fire and
damage to the aircraft.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 14,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the
same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 781-238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1022;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, the name of the individual who
sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65
FR 19477-78).
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0082, dated May 10, 2011 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
[[Page 59951]]
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on
the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure regulators, Part
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
These affected fuel pressure regulators may have non-conforming
threads in the banjo bolt fitting for the fuel return line to the fuel
tank from original manufacture. These non-conforming threads could
result in fuel leakage during engine operation, in-flight fire, and
damage to the airplane.
For the reasons described above, this proposed AD would require the
replacement of all affected P/N 887130 fuel pressure regulators with
parts eligible for installation. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
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. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of
the same type design. This proposed AD would require the replacement of
all affected P/N 887130 fuel pressure regulators with parts eligible
for installation, within 100 flight hours after the effective date of
the proposed AD.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The EASA AD requires replacing the fuel pressure regulator within
100 flight hours (FH) or 6 months after the effective date of that AD,
whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would require replacing the
fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH after the effective date of this
proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 75 products of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $180 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $26,250.
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 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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG (formerly Bombardier-Rotax GmbH):
Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 14, 2011.
Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BRP--Powertrain GMBH & CO KG 914 F2, 914
F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines with certain fuel pressure
regulators, part number (P/N) 887130 installed.
Reason
(d) This AD results from:
Isolated manufacturing deviations have been reportedly found on
the threads of a certain batch of Fuel pressure Regulators, Part
Number (P/N) 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a fuel leak and
in-flight fire which would necessitate an engine shut-down, possibly
resulting in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
We are issuing this AD prevent to fuel leaks, which could result
in an in-flight fire and damage to the aircraft.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 100 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of
this AD, replace fuel pressure regulators listed in Table 1 of this
AD with a fuel pressure regulator that is not listed in Table 1 of
this AD, and is eligible for installation.
(f) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any fuel
pressure regulator P/N 887130 onto any engine, if the fuel pressure
regulator has a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of this AD.
(g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any
Rotax 914 F series engine on any airplane if it has installed in it
a fuel pressure regulator P/N 887130 with a S/N listed in Table 1 of
this AD.
Table 1--S/Ns of Affected Fuel Pressure Regulators, P/N 887130
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100200 through 100246 inclusive.
100248 through 100280 inclusive.
100282 through 100293 inclusive.
100295 through 100314 inclusive.
100316 and 100317.
100319 through 100326 inclusive.
100330.
100332 and 100333.
[[Page 59952]]
100338 through 100340 inclusive.
100342 through 100345 inclusive.
100348.
100350 through 100355 inclusive.
100357 through 100363 inclusive.
100365 through 100368 inclusive.
100371 and 100372.
100374 through 100376 inclusive.
100379 and 100380.
100395 and 100396.
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FAA AD Differences
(h) This AD differs from the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) by the compliance time. The MCAI requires
replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH or 6 months
after the effective date of EASA AD 2011-0082, dated May 10, 2011.
This AD requires replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 FH
after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI Airworthiness Directive 2011-0082, dated May
10, 2011, for related information.
(k) Contact Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected];
phone: 781-238-7758; fax: 781-238-7199, for more information about
this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 21, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24842 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P