AD 2012-01-07

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3090-3091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1133]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD; 
Amendment 39-16919; AD 2012-01-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BRP--POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG Rotax 
Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP--
POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG Rotax 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating 
engines. This AD results from 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 isolated 
manufacturing deviations 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, which could result in fuel leakage 
during engine operation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, 
which could result in an in-flight fire and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d303c2f36732f343138241d3b3c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e38e829188cd918a8f869aa3858282cd848c95">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2011 
(76 FR 59950). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states that:

    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.

The corrective action includes replacing 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. You may 
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    The European Aviation Safety Agency AD requires replacing the fuel 
pressure regulator within 100 flight hours (FHs) or 6 months after the 
effective date of that AD, whichever occurs first. This AD requires 
replacing the fuel pressure regulator within 100 FHs after the 
effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 75 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per 
product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Required parts cost about $180 per product. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>; or in person at the

[[Page 3091]]

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 provided 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:

2012-01-07 BRP--POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG (formerly Bombardier-Rotax 
GmbH): Amendment 39-16919; Docket No. FAA-2011-1022; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NE-20-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 27, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to BRP--POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG Rotax 914 F2, 
914 F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines with certain fuel pressure 
regulators, part number (P/N) 887130 installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by isolated manufacturing deviations 
reportedly found on the threads of a certain batch of fuel pressure 
regulators, P/N 887130, installed on Rotax 914 F series engines, 
which could result in fuel leakage during engine operation. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent fuel leaks, which could result in an in-
flight fire and damage to the aircraft.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Within 100 flight hours (FHs) 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.
    (1) 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.
    (2) 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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.

(g) Related Information

    (1) Refer to EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0082, dated May 
10, 2011, for related information.
    (2) Contact Mark Riley, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification 
Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#670a06150c49150e0b021e2701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="761b17041d58041f1a130f3610171758111900">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; 
phone: (781) 238-7758; fax: (781) 238-7199, for more information 
about this AD.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1133 Filed 1-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P