2025-07-02: Reciprocating Engine Oil System

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: 2025-07-02 BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): Amendment 39-23003; Docket No. FAA-2025-0346; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00052-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 21, 2025. (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 iSc2 Sport, 912 iSc3 Sport, 915 iSc2 C24, and 915 iSc3 C24 engines that are equipped with an affected part as defined in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8120, Exhaust Turbocharger; 8550, Reciprocating Engine Oil System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of deviations during the manufacturing process of certain sprag clutch housing and oil spray nozzles, including incorrect application of a certain thread-locker. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent blockage of the oil nozzle, inadequate cooling, and damage to the generators. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine in-flight shutdown and forced landing, damage to the airplane, and injury to the occupants. (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 before each flight, perform a first start of the battery prior to starting the engine under normal procedure as an operational check to ensure the availability of the battery backup function. (i) In order to check the sufficient state of battery capacity, do not use an additional external power source for this operational check. (ii) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD for your engine and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraphs of this AD into the engine maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (2) If, during the operational check required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, the battery capacity is determined to be insufficient, before further flight, remove the engine from service. (3) Within 25 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection of the oil spray nozzle in accordance with the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 3.4.1) of Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2024 (published as a single document) (Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1). (4) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, any oil spray nozzle fails to meet the serviceability criteria specified in the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 3.4.1) of Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1, before further flight, replace the oil spray nozzle with a part eligible for installation, in accordance with the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 3.5.2) of Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1. (5) Within 25 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection of the generator stator assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 3.5.1) of Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1. (6) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(6) of this AD, any generator stator assembly fails to meet the serviceability criteria specified in the Accomplishment/Instructions, paragraph 3.5.1) of Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1, before further flight, replace the generator stator assembly with a part eligible for installation. Note 1 to paragraph (g)(6): Guidance for removal and installation of the generator stator assembly for Rotax Model 912 iSc2 Sport and 912 iSc3 Sport engines may be found in Rotax Heavy Maintenance Manual MMH-912i, Part No. 898752, Chapter 24-20-00. Guidance for removal and installation of the generator stator assembly for Rotax Model 915 iSc2 C24 and 915 iSc3 C24 engines may be found in the Rotax Heavy Maintenance Manual MMH-915 I A/C24, Part No. 898861, Chapter 24-20-00. (h) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, an "affected part" is a generator stator assembly, or an oil spray nozzle assembly having part number (P/N) 456540 manufactured before October 31, 2024, that is: (i) Installed on an engine with a serial number specified in the Appendix to Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1; or (ii) Known to have been delivered as a spare part, as specified in Planning Information, Paragraph 1.1, Criterion B), of Rotax ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1; or (iii) Unable to be excluded from the criteria listed in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (iv) A generator stator assembly or an oil spray nozzle assembly is not considered an "affected part" if it has been in operation for 200 flight hours or more without a required maintenance action due to generator stator assembly cooling issues. (2) For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is any of the following: (i) An oil spray nozzle having P/N 456540, manufactured after October 31, 2024. (ii) For Rotax Model 912 iSc2 Sport and 912 iSc3 Sport engines, a generator stator assembly having P/N 891095. (iii) For Rotax Model 915 iSc2 C24 and 915 iSc3 C24 engines, a generator stator assembly having P/N 889562. (i) Terminating Action The actions specified in paragraphs (g)(3) through (6) of this AD constitute terminating action for all the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (j) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the actions required by paragraphs (g)(3) through (6) of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of this AD using Rotax Service Bulletin SB-912 i-016/SB-915 i-016/SB-916 i-006, dated December 16, 2024 (published as a single document). (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 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)(1) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. (l) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kenneth Steeves, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7765; email: [email protected]. (2)) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (m)(3) of this AD. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Rotax) Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912 i-016 R1/ASB-915 i-016 R1/ASB-916 i-006 R1, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2024 (published as a single document). (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Rotax material 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 material 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on April 1, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-05852 Filed 4-1-25; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P