DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0916; Product Identifier 2018-NE-33-AD; Amendment
39-19643; AD 2019-10-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Rotax) 912 and 914 model engines. This AD was
prompted by power loss and engine revolutions per minute (RPM) drop on
certain 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 AD requires one-time inspection
and, depending on the findings, replacement of the affected parts with
parts eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 10, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 10,
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 and Propeller Standards Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0916.

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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Rotax 912 and 914
model engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November
6, 2018 (83 FR 55502). The NPRM was prompted by power loss and engine
RPM drop on certain 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. The NPRM proposed to require a
one-time inspection and, depending on the findings, replacement of the
affected parts with parts eligible for installation. We are issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The European Union 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.

Revision to Applicability Section

We revised paragraph (c)(4), in the Applicability section of this
AD, to refer to ``Rotax 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 S2, 912 S3, 912 S4,
914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines (all S/Ns) on which a valve push-rod
assembly has been replaced with one manufactured between June 8, 2016,
and October 2, 2017,'' rather than ``Rotax 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912
S2, 912 S3, 912 S4, 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines (all S/Ns) on
which a valve push-rod assembly has been replaced between June 8, 2016,
and the effective date of this AD,'' as proposed in the NPRM. This
change clarifies the applicability and is consistent with the MCAI and
with 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. Our
proposed wording would have unnecessarily extended the applicability of
this AD to all valve push-rod assemblies that were replaced on the
affected Rotax engines from October 2, 2017 until the effective date of
this AD.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 this final rule as proposed--
except for minor editorial changes and the changes to the Applicability
section discussed above. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Rotax 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 150 engines installed on airplanes
of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this 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

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

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):