2010-22147. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F Series and 912 S Series Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Due to high fuel pressure, caused by exceeding pressure in front of the mechanical fuel pump (e.g. due to an electrical fuel pump), in limited cases a deviation in the fuel supply could occur. This can result in exceeding of the fuel pressure and might cause engine malfunction and/or massive fuel leakage.

We are issuing this AD to prevent the pump from exceeding the fuel pressure, which could result in engine malfunction or a massive fuel leak. These conditions could cause loss of control of the airplane or a fire.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective October 13, 2010.

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:

Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [e-mail]; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 May 17, 2010 (75 FR 27487). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Due to high fuel pressure, caused by exceeding pressure in front of the mechanical fuel pump (e.g. due to an electrical fuel pump), in limited cases a deviation in the fuel supply could occur. This can result in exceeding of the fuel pressure and might cause engine malfunction and/or massive fuel leakage.

Comments

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

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will affect about 50 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.5 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $650 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $34,625.

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 http://www.regulations.gov;​; or in person at the 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 [phone]) 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
• 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-18-14 Bombardier-Rotax GmbH (Formerly Motorenfabrik): Amendment 39-16428. Docket No. FAA-2010-0499; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-06-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 13, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Bombardier-Rotax 912 F series and 912 S series reciprocating engines with fuel pumps, part numbers (P/Ns) 892230, 892232, 892540 (standard version) or P/Ns 892235, 892236, 892545 (version including flexible fuel line), installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Diamond (formerly HOAC) HK-36R Super Dimona, Aeromot AMT-200S Super Ximango; Diamond DA20-A1 Katana; Scheibe SF 25C; Iniziative Industriali Italiane S.p.A. Sky Arrow 650 TC, and 650 TCN airplanes.

Reason

(d) 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:

Due to high fuel pressure, caused by exceeding pressure in front of the mechanical fuel pump (e.g. due to an electrical fuel pump), in limited cases a deviation in the fuel supply could occur. This can result in exceeding of the fuel pressure and might cause engine malfunction and/or massive fuel leakage.

We are issuing this AD to prevent the pump from exceeding the fuel pressure, which could result in engine malfunction or a massive fuel leak. These conditions could cause loss of control of the airplane or a fire.

Actions and Compliance

(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) At the next maintenance, or within the next 25 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD, remove affected fuel pumps, P/Ns 892230, 892232, 892235, 892236, 892540, or 892545.

(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install fuel pump, P/Ns 892230, 892232, 892235, 892236, 892540, or 892545, on any engine.

FAA AD Differences

(f) This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: The MCAI requires replacing an affected fuel pump with fuel pump, P/N 892542 or 892546. This AD requires replacement of an affected fuel pump with a fuel pump eligible for installation on the airplane.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) 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.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI AD 2007-0060R1-E, dated April 20, 2007, and Rotax Aircraft Engines Service Bulletin SB-912-053, dated April 13, 2007, for related information. Contact BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria, or go to: http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com/​, for a copy of this service information.

(i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [e-mail]; telephone [phone]; fax [phone], for more information about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) None.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 27, 2010.

Thomas A. Boudreau,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.