[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12450-12452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4746]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0126; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-07-AD;
Amendment 39-16959; AD 2012-04-03]
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.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating
engines. This AD requires performing a one-time inspection of the oil
system for leaks and a torque check of the oil pump attachment bolts,
and if leaks are detected, performing a one-time inspection of the oil
pump and engine valve train, on certain serial number (S/N) BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating
engines. This AD was prompted by the discovery that during engine
production, some engines may not have had the oil pump attachment bolts
torqued to specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent oil leaks,
[[Page 12451]]
which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 16, 2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 16, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines
Mandatory Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) No. ASB-912-060 and ASB No.
914-043 (combined in one document), dated January 26, 2012 listed in
the AD, as of March 16, 2012.
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: 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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen,
Austria, or go to: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com. You may
review copies of the referenced 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 Operations office
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 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: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email:
[email protected]; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-7199.
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
Emergency AD 2012-0019-E, dated January 26, 2012 (referred to after
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
During a production quality review, a deviation in the assembly
process of the oil pump attachment bolts has been detected, which
may have resulted in a latent defect on a limited number of engines.
The affected bolts may not have been tightened to the correct torque
value, i.e. not in accordance with the specification. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to oil leaks and
irregularities in the oil supply, possibly resulting in uncommanded
in-flight engine shutdown and forced landing, damage to the
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG has issued Mandatory ASBs No. ASB-912-
060 and No. ASB-914-043 (combined in one document), dated January 26,
2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of
Austria, 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 and service
information referenced above. We are issuing 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 AD requires performing a one-time inspection
of the oil system for leaks and a torque check of the oil pump
attachment bolts, and if leaks are detected, performing a one-time
inspection of the oil pump and engine valve train, on certain S/N BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 S2, 912 S3, and 914 F2 reciprocating
engines.
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 no
domestic operators use these engines. Therefore, we determined that
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
unnecessary 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-2012-0126; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NE-07-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
with FAA personnel concerning this 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).
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
[[Page 12452]]
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); 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 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.
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:
2012-04-03 BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-Rotax GmbH &
Co KG, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH):
Amendment 39-16959; Docket No. FAA-2012-0126; Directorate Identifier
2012-NE-07-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 16,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG:
(1) Rotax 912 S2 and 912 S3 reciprocating engines, serial
numbers (S/Ns) 4,924.287 to 4,924.295 inclusive, 4,924.300 to
4,924.304 inclusive, 4,924.342 to 4,924.350 inclusive, 4,924.352,
and 4,924.353.
(2) Rotax 914 F2 reciprocating engines, S/Ns 4,421.079,
4,421.080, and 4,421.081.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by the discovery that during engine
production, some engines may not have had the oil pump attachment
bolts torqued to specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent
oil leaks, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown and
forced landing.
(e) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions within four flight
hours or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first.
(1) Inspect the oil pump and engine valve train for oil leaks in
accordance with paragraph 3.1) step 1. of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co
KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs)
No. ASB-912-060 and No. ASB-914-043 (combined in one document),
dated January 26, 2012.
(2) If no leaks are found during the inspection, tighten the
four oil pump attachment bolts with lock washers installed to 10 Nm
(90 in. lb.).
(3) If any leaks are found during the inspection specified in
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, do the following:
(i) Remove the oil pump and inspect all surfaces for wear,
cracks, or damage. If any measurable wear, cracking, or damage is
found, reject the oil pump. If no measurable wear, cracking, or
damage is found, replace the three o-rings and the four gasket rings
and reinstall the oil pump.
(ii) Inspect the engine valve train washers for increased wear,
in accordance with paragraph 3.1.3) steps 19. through 21. of BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft Engines Mandatory ASBs No.
ASB-912-060 and No. ASB-914-043 (combined in one document), dated
January 26, 2012.
(f) 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.
(g) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Strom,
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA
01803; email: [email protected]; phone: 781-238-7143; fax: 781-238-
7199.
(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2012-
0019-E, dated November 15, 2011, for related information.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotax Aircraft
Engines, Mandatory Alert Service Bulletins Nos. ASB-912-060 and ASB-
914-043 (combined in one document), dated January 26, 2012, to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(2) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen,
Austria, or go to: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
(5) 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 15, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4746 Filed 2-29-12; 8:45 am]
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