DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0916; Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG 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
certain BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Rotax) 912 and 914 model engines. This
proposed AD was prompted by power loss and engine revolutions per
minute (RPM) drop on Rotax 912 and 914 model engines due to a quality
control deficiency in the manufacturing process of certain valve push-
rod assemblies resulting in partial wear on the rocker arm ball socket
and possible malfunction of the valve. This proposed AD would require a
one-time inspection and, depending on the findings, replacement of the
affected parts with parts eligible for installation. We are proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact BRP-Rotax
GmbH & Co KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43
7246 601 0; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; email: airworthiness@brp.com;
internet: www.flyrotax.com. You may view this service information at
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0916; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI),
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7134; fax: 781-238-7199; email: wego.wang@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2018-0916;
Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 we
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2017-0208, dated October 13, 2017 (referred to after this as "the
MCAI"), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI
states:

Power loss and engine RPM drop have been reported on Rotax 912/
914 engines in service. It has been determined that, due to a
quality control deficiency in the manufacturing process of certain
valve push-rod assemblies, manufactured between 08 June 2016 and 02
October 2017 inclusive, partial wear on the rocker arm ball socket
may occur, which may lead to malfunction of the valve train.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to rough
engine operation and loss of power, possibly resulting in a forced
landing, with consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to
occupants.

To address this potential unsafe condition, BRP-Rotax issued
Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912 i-008/SB-912-070/SB-914-052 (single
document), providing applicable instructions.

For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection and, depending on findings, replacement of affected
parts. This [EASA] AD also prohibits installation of affected parts
on an engine.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0916.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Rotax Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912 i-008 R1/SB-912-070
R1/SB-914-052 R1 (single document), Revision 1, dated October 12, 2017.
The SB describes procedures for inspection and replacement of the valve
push-rod assembly and the left and right rocker arms. 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.

FAA's Determination

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 and service information referenced
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of
the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection and, depending
on the findings, replacement of the affected parts with parts eligible
for installation.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 150 engines installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We estimate that 50 engines will need this replacement.

On-Condition Costs

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.

This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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),

(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.

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 airworthiness
directive (AD):