81 FR 37496 - Airworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG 912 A Series Engine

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 112 (June 10, 2016)

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 design change of the engine cylinder head temperature sensor without a concurrent revision of the engine model designation, the engine part number, or the cockpit indication to the pilot. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37496-37499]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4878; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-001-AD; 
Amendment 39-18551; AD 2016-12-02]
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 design change of the engine cylinder head temperature 
sensor without a concurrent revision of the engine model designation, 
the engine part number, or the cockpit indication to the pilot. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 15, 
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-
4878; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,

[[Page 37497]]

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 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-
2016-4878.

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 
March 28, 2016 (81 FR 17109). 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:

    A design change of the engine cylinder heads was introduced by 
BRP-Powertrain in March 2013 which modifies the engine/aircraft 
interfaces by substituting the previous cylinder head temperature 
(CHT) measurement (limit temperature 135 [deg]C/150 [deg]C) with a 
coolant temperature (CT) measurement (limit temperature 120 [deg]C). 
The design change was communicated on 15 May 2013 by BRP-Powertrain 
Service Instruction (SI) 912-020R7/914-022R7 (single document) but 
was not identified by a change of the engine model designation or of 
the engine P/N, but only through the cylinder head P/N and the 
position of the temperature sensor.
    Consequently, engines with the new cylinder heads (installed 
during production or replaced in-service during maintenance) may be 
installed on an aircraft without concurrent modification of that 
aircraft, instructions for which should be provided by the Type 
Certificate (TC) holder or Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
holder, as applicable. In this case, the coolant temperature with a 
maximum engine operating limit of 120 [deg]C (valid for engines 
operated with water diluted glycol coolant) is displayed on a CHT 
indicator with a typical limit marking (red radial/range) of more 
than 120 [deg]C.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, will prevent the 
pilot to identify coolant limit exceedances, with subsequent loss of 
coolant (120 [deg]C is the boiling temperature of the coolant), 
which could lead to engine in-flight shut-down, possibly resulting 
in a forced landing, with consequent damage to the aircraft and 
injury to occupants.
    BRP-Powertrain published revised SI-912-020R8/914-022R8 to 
clarify that, on the new cylinder heads, the coolant temperature, 
instead of the cylinder head temperature in the aluminum, is 
measured. EASA issued SIB 2014-34 to raise awareness that 
installation of affected engines and spare parts, without concurrent 
incorporation of aircraft TC/STC holder approved modifications, and 
even if unintended and unnoticed by production or maintenance, 
constitutes an unapproved aircraft modification.
    Since EASA published the SIB, further investigation has finally 
determined that sufficient reason exists to warrant AD action.
    For the reason stated above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection to determine the actual engine configuration and, 
depending on findings, engine reidentification and (depending on TC 
or STC holder installation) modification of the affected aircraft. 
This also affects engines that are operated with waterless coolant.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4878-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 17109, March 28, 
2016) 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 the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (81 FR 17109, March 28, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 17109, March 28, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed BRP-Powertrain GmbH & CO KG issued Rotax Aircraft 
Engines BRP Service Bulletin SB-912-068 and SB-914-049 (co-published as 
one document), dated April 16, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for re-identifying the engine that has new cylinder heads, 
part numbers 413235 and 413236 installed. 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 the 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 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the engine re-identification requirement of this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this portion of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $5,525, or $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the engine installation modification to indicate a Maximum 
Coolant Temperature requirement of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this portion of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $5,525, or $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it will take about 1.5 work-hours per product 
to comply with the cylinder head replacement option of this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$2,500 to replace a single engine cylinder head.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this portion of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $2,627.50 per engine cylinder head.

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.

[[Page 37498]]

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.

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:

2016-12-02 Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-18551; Docket No. FAA-
2016-4878; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-001-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 15, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all serial numbers of the airplanes listed in 
table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, that are:
    (1) equipped with a BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (formerly Rotax 
Aircraft Engines) 912 A series engine with a part number (P/N) 
413235 or 413236 cylinder head installed in position 2 or 3; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

              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 36 TC  912 A3
 GmbH.
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 72: Engine--
Reciprocating.

(e) Reason

    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. This AD was prompted by design change of the engine 
cylinder head temperature sensor without a concurrent revision of 
the engine model designation, the engine part number, or the cockpit 
indication to the pilot. The sensor now measures the coolant 
temperature rather than the cylinder head temperature. If the engine 
coolant temperature with a maximum engine operating limit of 120 
[deg]C is displayed on a Cylinder Head Temperature indicator with a 
typical limit marking greater than 120 [deg]C, the pilot will be 
unable to identify coolant temperature limit exceedances. This could 
result in loss of coolant, which could cause an inflight engine 
shutdown and forced landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 6 months after July 15, 2016 (the effective date of 
this AD), for engines with cylinder heads listed in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this AD installed on both position 2 and position 3, change the 
engine model designation on the engine type data plate to include a 
``-01'' suffix following paragraph 3.1.1) of the Accomplishment/
Instructions in Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Service Bulletin SB-912-
068 and SB-914-049 (co-published as one document), dated April 16, 
2015.
    (2) Within 6 months after July 15, 2016 (the effective date of 
this AD), for engines with only one cylinder head listed paragraph 
(c)(1) of this AD installed in a position 2 or 3, in order to keep 
such cylinder installed, you must replace the cylinder head 
installed on the unchanged position (2 or 3, as applicable) with a 
cylinder head having a P/N listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, 
and change the engine model designation on the engine type data 
plate to include a ``-01'' suffix following paragraph 3.1.1) of the 
Accomplishment/Instructions in Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Service 
Bulletin SB-912-068 and SB-914-049 (co-published as one document), 
dated April 16, 2015.
    (3) Before further flight after doing the required actions in 
paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD as applicable, modify the 
aircraft and related documentation to indicate a Maximum Coolant 
Temperature limit of 120 [deg]C using FAA-approved procedures.
    (i) Such procedures can be found by contacting your aircraft 
type certificate holder or the FAA contact specified in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD. The service documents referenced in paragraph (h) 
of this AD are examples of FAA-approved procedures for the 
applicable aircraft.
    (ii) These re-identified engines remain eligible for 
installation on approved aircraft-engine combinations.
    (4) As of July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install any other P/N cylinder head unless that installation is done 
following approved instructions provided by BRP-Powertrain at the 
address provided in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD.

(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.

[[Page 37499]]

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0240, dated December 18, 2015; Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP 
Service Bulletin SB-912-066 R1/SB-914-047 R1 (published as one 
document), Revision 1, dated April 23, 2015; Diamond Aircraft 
Industries GmbH Optional Service Bulletin OSB 36-111, dated 
September 17, 2015; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work 
Instruction WI-OSB 36-111, dated September 17, 2015; Diamond 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No.: DA20-72-04, dated January 22, 2015; 
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Service Bulletin OSB 20-
066, dated September 17, 2015; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work 
Instruction WI-OSB 20-066, dated September 17, 2015; and Scheibe 
Aircraft GmbH Service Information 02/14-1, dated December 15, 2014, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4878-0002. 
For information on the availability of the service documents above, 
contact the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at 816-329-4148.

(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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Rotax Aircraft Engines BRP Service Bulletin SB-912-068 and 
SB-914-049 (co-published as one document), dated April 16, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For BRP-Powertrain GmbH & CO KG 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 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-2016-4878.
    (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.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 1, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13542 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P