[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22166-22168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08460]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0263; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-12-AD;
Amendment 39-17416; AD 2013-07-12]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912
S3; 912 S4; 914 F2; 914 F3; and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. This AD
requires a one-time visual inspection for excessive oil deposits or
carbon deposits on the No. 2 and No. 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 of certain No. 2 and
No. 3 cylinder heads not manufactured to proper specification. 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 becomes effective April 30, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by May 30, 2013.
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.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 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: 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
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2013-0055-E, dated March 6, 2013
(referred to hereinafter 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
[[Page 22167]]
shutdown and forced landing, with consequent risk of 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 Rotax Aircraft Engines ASB
No. ASB-912-062, Revision 1 and ASB-914-044, Revision 1 (combined into
one document), dated March 5, 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 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 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 a one-time visual
inspection for excessive oil deposits or carbon deposits on the No. 2
and No. 3 spark plug center and grounding electrodes, and if found,
replacement of the cylinder head before further flight. Any excess
indicates the cylinder head is not manufactured to proper specification
and is leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
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 of
the short compliance time requirement. 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 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-2013-0263; 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
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 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 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.
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.
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:
2013-07-12 BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG (formerly BRP-Rotax GmbH &
Co KG, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH):
Amendment 39-17416; Docket No. FAA-2013-0263; Directorate Identifier
2013-NE-12-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 30,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
Rotax reciprocating engines:
(1) Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; and 912 F4, from serial number (S/N)
4,413,013 up to S/N 4,413,017 inclusive.
(2) Rotax 912 S2; 912 S3; and 912 S4, from S/N 4,924,468 up to
S/N 4,924,491 inclusive.
(3) Rotax 914 F2; 914 F3; and 914 F4, from S/N 4,421,156 up to
S/N 4,421,169 inclusive.
(d) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of certain No. 2 and No. 3
cylinder heads not manufactured to proper specification. The
cylinder heads may have an oil leak in the intake channel in the
area of the valve guide. There is the possibility that the heads
have small machined through holes, which can
[[Page 22168]]
increase the oil consumption. 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) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(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 (excessive carbon or oil). Any excess indicates the
cylinder head is not manufactured to proper specification and is
leaking oil into the combustion chamber.
(2) Before further flight, replace cylinder heads found to be
not manufactured to proper specification.
(3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install any
engine listed in the applicability of this AD on an airplane, unless
the engine has been inspected and, depending on the findings,
affected cylinder heads have been replaced as required by this AD.
(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, FAA, may approve AMOCs
to 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 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 2013-0055-E, dated March 6, 2013, and BRP-
Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax Aircraft Engines Alert Service
Bulletin No. ASB-912-062, Revision 1 and ASB-914-044, Revision 1
(combined into one document), dated March 5, 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, or go to: http://www.FLYROTAX.com. 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 April 4, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08460 Filed 4-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P