[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45189-45191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22701]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-83-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; HOAC-Austria Model DV 20 Katana
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain HOAC-Austria (HOAC) Model DV 20
airplanes equipped with ROTAX 912 A3 engines. The proposed action would
require replacing the engine electronic modules. The proposed AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for Austria. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent electromagnetic interference
(EMI) on the engine electronic module, which could cause the airplane
engine to stop due to the interruption of the airplane's ignition
system and result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from HOAC-Austria, N.A. Otto-StraBe 5, A-2700 Wiener. Neustadt,
Austria. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at
the address above.
[[Page 45190]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger Chudy, Aerospace Engineer,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; (816) 426-5688;
facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-83-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-83-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Austro Control Flugtechnik (Austro Control), which is the
airworthiness authority for Austria, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain HOAC Model DV 20 Katana airplanes
that are equipped with ROTAX 912 A3 series engines. The Austro Control
reports that several operators with HOAC DV 20 Katana airplanes have
experienced stopped or sputtering engines during flight.
Further investigation shows that the poor engine performance occurs
when the airplane is flown within close proximity to short wave radio
transmissions, which indicates that electromagnetic interference (EMI)
or high power short wave sources could cause an interruption to the
engine electronic module and possibly cause uncommanded engine
disruption.
These conditions, if not detected and corrected, could result in
possible loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier-ROTAX, the manufacturer of the ROTAX 912-A3 series
engine, has issued Technical Bulletin No. 912-08, dated August 16,
1995, which specifies procedures for replacing both electronic ignition
modules (part number (P/N) 965 356 or an FAA-approved equivalent part
number) with an electronic ignition module of improved design.
The Austro Control classified these service bulletins as mandatory
and issued AD No. 84, dated October 4, 1995, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Austria.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Austria and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the Austro Control has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the Austro Control, reviewed
all available information including the service information referenced
above, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other HOAC Model DV 20 Katana airplanes of the same
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would
require replacing the electronic ignition module with one of improved
design. Accomplishment of the proposed installation would be in
accordance with Bombardier-ROTAX Technical Note No. 912-08, dated
August 16, 1995.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $5,600 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$113,200 or $5,660 per airplane.
The manufacturer has informed the FAA that all of the affected
airplanes registered in the U.S. have accomplished the proposed action,
therefore, the estimated cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is eliminated.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated,
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
[[Page 45191]]
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
HOAC-Austria: Docket No. 97-CE-83-AD.
Applicability: Model DV-20 Katana airplanes, certificated in any
category, equipped with ROTAX 912-A3 series engines having serial
numbers 4,076.064 through 4,380.753.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the engine
electronic module, which could cause the airplane engine to stop due
to the interruption of the airplane's ignition system and result in
loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the engine electronic module, part number (P/N) 965
356 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number, with a new engine
electronic module, P/N 965 358 in accordance with the Instructions
section of the ROTAX Technical Bulletin No. 912-08, dated August 16,
1995.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to HOAC-Austria, N.A.
Otto-StraBe 5, A-2700 Wiener. Neustadt, Austria; or may examine this
document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Austrian AD No.
84, dated October 4, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 18, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22701 Filed 8-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
