AD 2026-16-11

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 155 (Thursday, August 13, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52236-52239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16512]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7235; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00679-E; 
Amendment 39-23441; AD 2026-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Formerly BRP-
Powertrain GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) Engines and Various 
Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (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 A1, 912 A2, 912 A3, and 912 A4 engines 
included as part of the type-certificated aircraft type design for 
various aircraft. This AD was prompted by a report of an oil spray 
nozzle and certain screws that were not installed on the propeller 
gearbox. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the propeller 
gearbox to determine if the oil spray nozzle and certain screws are 
installed and, depending on the results, replacement of the propeller 
gearbox with a serviceable propeller gearbox. This AD also prohibits 
the installation of an affected propeller gearbox on any engine unless 
certain conditions are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 28, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 28, 
2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by September 28, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7235; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Rotax material identified in this AD, contact Rotax, 
Rotaxstrasse 1, Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 7246 601 0; website: 
flyrotax.com.
     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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (516) 228-7366; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-7235; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2026-00679-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to

[[Page 52237]]

regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Joseph 
Catanzaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0121-E, dated June 24, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0121-E) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition on all 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 A1, 912 A2, and 912 A3 engines. The MCAI states 
that the manufacturer reported an occurrence where the propeller 
gearbox in a recently manufactured engine was found to be missing the 
oil spray nozzle and the M7 x 16 hexagon screws intended to secure the 
propeller shaft bearing within the propeller gearbox, which could cause 
the propeller shaft and its front bearing to slightly move into the 
gearbox housing. Further investigation determined that these parts had 
not been installed during production. To address this potential unsafe 
condition, Rotax published service material that identifies the 
affected propeller gearboxes and specifies instructions for visual 
inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the propeller gearbox. 
This condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight loss of 
engine oil, engine in-flight shutdown, and loss of control of the 
airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7235.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00, 
dated June 22, 2026. This service material identifies the serial 
numbers of the affected engines and propeller gearboxes. This service 
material also specifies procedures for performing a visual inspection 
of the propeller gearbox to determine if the oil spray nozzle and 
certain screws are installed and, depending on the results of the 
inspection, replacement of the propeller gearbox with a serviceable 
propeller gearbox. This material is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD 
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the propeller 
gearbox to determine if the oil spray nozzle and certain screws are 
installed and, depending on the results, replacement of the propeller 
gearbox with a serviceable propeller gearbox. This AD also prohibits 
the installation of an affected propeller gearbox on any engine unless 
certain conditions are met.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    EASA Emergency AD 2026-0121-E applies to 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 A1, 912 A2, and 912 A3 
engines, all serial numbers. Rotax Model 912 A1, 912 A2, and 912 A3 
engines are not type certificated in the United States but are part of 
the type design for certain aircraft. This AD applies to all 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 A1, 
912 A2, and 912 A3 engines included as part of the type design for 
Aeromot-Ind[uacute]stria Mec[acirc]nico-Metal[uacute]rgica Ltda Model 
AMT-200 (Super Ximango); Diamond Aircraft Industries Model HK 36 R 
``SUPER DIMONA''; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models HK 36 TC and 
HK 36 TS; Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. Model DA20-A1; HOAC-Austria 
Model DV 20 KATANA; Magnaghi Aeronautica S.p.A Model Sky Arrow 650 TC; 
and SCHEIBE-Flugzeugbau GmbH Model SF 25C aircraft, as applicable.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the absence of both a properly installed oil spray nozzle and 
the screws that secure the propeller shaft bearing in the propeller 
gearbox may allow axial displacement of the propeller shaft bearing 
during operation. This displacement may lead to loss of engine oil, 
which could result in engine in-flight shutdown or loss of control of 
the airplane. Since the FAA has no information pertaining to how 
quickly this unsafe condition may propagate, the inspection required by 
this AD must be accomplished before next flight or within 5 hours time-
in-service after the effective date of this AD, depending on the 
condition of the affected engine. This compliance time is shorter than 
the time necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the 
final rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in

[[Page 52238]]

less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to 
forgo notice and comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 180 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection of propeller gearbox  2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170         $30,600
                                         hour = $170.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of engines 
that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of propeller gearbox..............  3.50 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $5,600       $5,897.50
                                                 $297.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-16-11 BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-Powertrain GMBH & CO 
KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) and Various Aircraft: Amendment 39-
23441; Docket No. FAA-2026-7235; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00679-
E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 28, 2026.

(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 A1, 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 an installed propeller 
gearbox that meets 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-       AMT-200 (Super      912 A2.
 Metalurgica Ltda.                 Ximango).
Diamond Aircraft Industries.....  HK 36 R ``SUPER     912 A1.
                                   DIMONA''.
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH  HK 36 TC & HK 36    912 A3.
                                   TS.

[[Page 52239]]

 
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 with a 
propeller gearbox installed having a serial number identified in 
Chapter 4) Appendix, paragraph 4.1) Gearbox installed on engines, of 
Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00, dated June 22, 2026 
(Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00); or
    (2) Delivered as a spare part with a propeller gearbox installed 
having a serial number identified in Chapter 4) Appendix, paragraph 
4.2) Gearbox supplied as spare parts, of Rotax Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8510, Reciprocating 
Engine Front Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an oil spray nozzle and 
certain screws that were not installed on the propeller gearbox. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address the oil spray nozzle 
and screws that were not installed on the propeller gearbox. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight 
loss of engine oil, engine in-flight shutdown, and loss of control 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within the following compliance times, perform a visual 
inspection of the propeller gearbox for the oil spray nozzle 
assembly and for the M7X16 hexagon screws in accordance with Chapter 
3.5) Maintenance (Heavy)-related information, paragraph 3.5.1) 
Inspection of the propeller gearbox-912 (Series); or Chapter 3.5) 
Maintenance (Heavy)-related information, paragraph 3.5.2) Inspection 
of the propeller gearbox-914 and 912 i (Series), depending on the 
model and configuration of your engine, of Rotax Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00.
    (i) For engines that have accumulated less than 25 hours time-
in-service (TIS) before further flight after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (ii) For engines that have accumulated 25 hours or more TIS, 
within 5 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, the oil spray nozzle assembly or the M7X16 hexagon screws 
are not present, before further flight, replace the affected 
propeller gearbox in accordance with Chapter 3.5) Maintenance 
(Heavy)-related information, paragraph 3.5.3) Replacement of the 
propeller gearbox of Rotax Alert Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a propeller 
gearbox having a serial number identified in Chapter 4) Appendix, 
paragraph 4.1) Gearbox installed on engines, or Chapter 4) Appendix, 
paragraph 4.2) Gearbox supplied as spare parts, of Rotax Alert 
Service Bulletin ASB-2026-001R00, on any engine, unless it has been 
inspected in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Action

    Replacement of the propeller gearbox in accordance with 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 
visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if done at 
the same time or before the compliance time that the inspection is 
required.

(j) 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 (k) of 
this AD and email to [email protected]. 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Catanzaro, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7366; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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-
2026-001R00, dated June 22, 2026.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Rotax material identified in this AD, contact BRP-Rotax 
GmbH & Co KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, 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, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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 August 4, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-16512 Filed 8-11-26; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P