2023-17-13: Reciprocating Engine Front Section

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-17-13 BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) and Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-22539; Docket No. FAA-2023-1809; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00945-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 20, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) (Rotax) Model 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 iSc2 Sport, 912 iSc3 Sport, 912 S2, 912 S3, 912 S4, 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines; and Model 912 A, 912 A2, and 912 A3 engines installed on the aircraft identified in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD that were included as part of the aircraft's type certification basis; with a propeller shaft having part number (P/N) 937047 and meeting at least one of the criteria of paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this AD. Table 1 to Paragraph (c) -Airplanes With Affected Engines Type certificate holder Aircraft model Engine model Aeromot-Industria Mecanico-Metalurgica Ltda AMT-200 (Super Ximango) 912 A2. Diamond Aircraft Industries HK 36 R "SUPER DIMONA" 912 A. Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH HK 36 TC & HK 36 TS 912 A3. Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. DA20-A1 912 A3. HOAC-Austria DV 20 KATANA 912 A3. Magnaghi Aeronautica S.p.A Sky Arrow 650 TC 912 A2. SCHEIBE-AIRCRAFT-GMBH SF 25C 912 A2 or 912 A3. (1) Installed initially (on delivery) on engines having a serial number identified in paragraph 1.1) Applicability, Criterion A) Engine Serial number, of Rotax Service Bulletin (SB) SB-912-078/SB-914-059/SB-912 i-014, dated July 25, 2023 (published as a single document) (Rotax SB SB-912-078/SB-914-059/SB-912 i-014); or paragraph 1.1) Applicability, Criterion A) Engine Serial number, of Rotax SB SB-912-078UL/SB-914-059UL/SB-912 i-014iS, dated July 25, 2023 (published as a single document) (SB-912-078UL/SB-914-059UL/SB-912 i-014iS); or (2) Delivered as a spare part and having a serial number identified in paragraph 1.1) Applicability, Criterion B) Spare parts, of Rotax SB SB-912-078/SB-914-059/SB-912 i-014; or paragraph 1.1) Applicability, Criterion B) Spare parts, of Rotax SB SB-912-078UL/SB-914-059UL/SB-912 i-014iS. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8510, Reciprocating Engine Front Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of surface abnormalities on the affected propeller shaft, which could lead to increased wear of the propeller shaft bearings. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the propeller shaft bearings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the propeller shaft, failure of the engine, engine in-flight shutdown, and (for a single-engine airplane) consequent emergency landing of the airplane or loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 flight hours (FHs), inspect the magnetic plug on the crankcase for the accumulation of metal chips. If the accumulation of metal chips is 3mm or greater, before further flight, remove the affected propeller shaft from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (2) Before exceeding 50 FHs since engine first operation or since first installation of the affected propeller shaft on an engine, as applicable; or within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; remove the affected propeller shaft from service and replace with a part eligible for installation. (3) Replacement of the affected propeller shaft with a part eligible for installation constitutes terminating action for any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (h) Installation Prohibition After the effective date of this AD, do not install a propeller shaft having P/N 937047 on any engine. (i) No Return of Parts Where Rotax SB SB-912-078/SB-914-059/SB-912 i-014 specifies returning certain parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Definition For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is any propeller shaft that does not have P/N 937047. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD and email to ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (l) Additional Information (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0156-E, dated August 2, 2023, for related information. This EASA Emergency AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1809. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin SB-912-078/SB-914-059/SB-912 i-014, dated July 25, 2023 (published as a single document). (ii) BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin SB-912-078UL/SB-914-059UL/SB-912 i-014iS, dated July 25, 2023 (published as a single document). (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; website: flyrotax.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (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, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on August 25, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-19162 Filed 8-31-23; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P