Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 141 /Thursday, July 23, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 39491

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.

(d) The actions required by this AD shall

be done in accordance with the following

Rohr ASB:

Document No. Pages Date

CF6–80A3–

NAC–A71–

060.

1–10 January 30, 1998.

Total pages: 10.

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 Rohr, Inc., 850 Lagoon Dr., Chula Vista,

CA 91910–2098; telephone (619–691–3102),

fax (619–498–7215). 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.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

July 15, 1998.

Jay J. Pardee,

Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–19485 Filed 7–22–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–ANE–26–AD; Amendment

39–10667; AD 98–15–16]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BombardierRotax GmbH 912 F Series

Reciprocating Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: 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.

DATES: Effective August 7, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of August 7,

1998.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–ANE–

26–AD, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803–5299. Comments

may also be sent via the Internet using

the following address: ‘‘9-adengineprop@faa.dot.gov’’. Comments

sent via the Internet must contain the

docket number in the subject line.

The service information referenced in

this AD may be obtained from

Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, Welser

Strasse 32, A–4623 Gunskirchen,

Austria; telephone 7246–601–232, fax

7246–601–370. This information may be

examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

James Lawrence, Aerospace Engineer,

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine

and Propeller Directorate, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299; telephone (781) 238–7176,

fax (781) 238–7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Austro Control GmbH (ACG), which is

the airworthiness authority for Austria,

recently notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on BombardierRotax 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
39492 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 141 /Thursday, July 23, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

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 be prepared

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:

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 BombardierRotax 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.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on

July 15, 1998.

Jay J. Pardee,

Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–19484 Filed 7–22–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–SW–22–AD; Amendment

39–10675; AD 98–15–26]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Helicopter Systems Model

369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H,

369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, 600N, and

OH–6A Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

an existing priority letter Airworthiness

Directive (AD) 98–03–15, applicable to

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems

(MDHS) Model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E,

369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM,

369HS, 500N, 600N, and OH–6

helicopters that currently requires an

inspection for main rotor blade (blade)

cracks and for missing or cracked

adhesive or paint. This amendment

requires the same inspections required

by the existing priority letter AD but

deletes the Model 369 (Army YOH–6A),

specifies recording torque events (TE),