AD 98-15-16

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F series reciprocating engines. This action requires installation of an improved fuel pump and fuel supply tube. This amendment is prompted by reports of fuel leaks at the outlet port of the fuel pump. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent fuel leaks from the fuel pump, which could result in undetected loss of fuel in flight or, an engine fire.

Final rule; request for comments.

98-15-16 Bombardier-Rotax GmbH: Amendment 39-10667. Docket 98-ANE-26-AD.
Applicability: Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F series reciprocating engines, with serial numbers (S/Ns) 4,412.502 up to and including S/N 4,412.764, installed on but not limited to Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1 aircraft.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine 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 engines 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 (b) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fuel leaks from the fuel pump, which could result in undetected loss of fuel in flight or an engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) At the earliest of: prior to exceeding 25 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, the next engine maintenance action, or upon discovery of a fuel pump leak, install an improved fuel pump and fuel supply tube in accordance with Bombardier-Rotax GmbH Technical Bulletin (TB) No. 912-20 R1, dated February 10, 1998.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Engine Certification Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Engine Certification Office.Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Engine Certification Office.
(c) 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 aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: Special flight permits may only be issued to operators who exceed the 25 hour TIS requirement.
(d) The actions required by this AD shall be performed in accordance with the following Bombardier-Rotax GmbH TB:

Document No.
Pages
Date
912-20 R1
1-5
February 10, 1998
Total pages: 5.

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, Welser Strasse 32, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; telephone 7246-601-232, fax 7246-601-370. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 7, 1998.

The Austro Control GmbH (ACG), which is the airworthiness authority for Austria, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Bombardier-Rotax GmbH 912 F series reciprocating engines. The ACG advises that they have received reports of fuel leaks at the outlet port of the fuel pump. One service difficulty report indicated that up to approximately one half of the fuel tank contents was lost in flight as a result of a large crack forming at the base of the fuel pump outlet port. This was the second occurrence of fuel leak on that particular engine. The investigation revealed misalignment of the rigid tube connecting the fuel distribution manifold and fuel pump. This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel leaks from the fuel pump, which could result in undetected loss of fuel in flight or, an engine fire.
Bombardier-Rotax GmbH has issued Technical Bulletin (TB) No. 912-20 R1, dated February 10, 1998, that specifies procedures for installation of an improved fuel pump and fuel supply tube. The ACG classified this TB as mandatory and issued AD 94/1 in order to assure the airworthiness of these engines in Austria.
This engine 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 ACG has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the ACG, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other engines of the same type design registered in the United States, the AD requires installation of an improved fuel pump and fuel supply tube. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the TB described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the 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 AD 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 Number 98-ANE-26-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will beprepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES." List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: