AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Rotax Piston Engines
AD/ROTAX/18 Replacement of Valve Spring Retainers of Engines in Single Valve Spring Configuration
12/2003
Applicability: Rotax 912 A series engines with Serial Number (S/N) 4,410.204 up to and including 4,410.421.
Rotax 912 F series engines with S/N 4,412.757 up to and including 4,412.807, but excluding 4,412.795.
Rotax 912 S series engines with S/N 4,922.501 up to and including 4,922.636, but excluding 4,922.535, 4,922.553 and 4,922.578.
Rotax 914 F series engines with S/N 4,420.039 up to and including 4,420.253, but excluding 4,420.049, 4,420.068, 4,420.083, 4,420.098, 4,420.115 and 4,420.156.
In addition to the above, all engines that have been converted to a single valve spring configuration at engine repair/overhaul in accordance with Rotax Service Instruction (SI) SI-14-1997.
Requirement: Unless previously accomplished, replace valve spring retainers with new improved valve retainers in accordance with instructions contained in Rotax Service Bulletin (SB) 912-022 and Rotax SB-914-011.
Note: Austrian CAA AD 108 refers.
Compliance: a. New Engines: Before next flight after the effective date of this Directive.
b. Engines with not more than 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): Prior to the accumulation of 10 hours TIS.
c. Engines with more than 10 hours TIS but less than 25 hours TIS: Prior to the accumulation of 25 hours TIS.
d. Engines which have had the oil system opened during repair/maintenance:
Within the next 10 hours TIS.
e. Engines with more than 25 hours TIS (except those affected by (d)): At the next 100 hour inspection after the effective date of this Directive.
Rotax Piston Engines
AD/ROTAX/18 (continued)
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 November 2003.
Background: Due to a delay in the purging of the lubrication system during starting, it is possible that the valve spring retainers may crack due to a number of reasons outlined in the SB’s relevant to this Directive. The Austrian CAA requires replacement of the retainers with new reinforced retainers.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 November 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) addresses potential safety concerns associated with specific models of Rotax piston engines. Enacted in 2003, this legislation targets the replacement of valve spring retainers in certain Rotax 912 and 914 series engines to mitigate the risk of cracking due to insufficient lubrication during starting. This measure aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by addressing the identified unsafe condition, thereby safeguarding against potential engine failure and enhancing overall aviation safety. The directive outlines specific compliance timelines based on the engine's time-in-service and recent maintenance activities, ensuring that the necessary corrective actions are implemented in a structured and timely manner.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Rotax piston engines used in aircraft. The directive specifically targets Rotax 912 A, F, and S series engines as well as Rotax 914 F series engines, identified by their serial numbers, with certain exclusions noted for specific engines within these series. This AD is applicable to any aircraft equipped with the specified engines, irrespective of the aircraft's registration or operational status within Australia. The directive mandates the replacement of valve spring retainers with new, improved versions to address a potential unsafe condition arising from delayed purging of the lubrication system during engine start, which may lead to cracking of the retainers. The requirement varies depending on the engine's time-in-service, with specific deadlines outlined for compliance. The AD is effective from 27 November 2003 and is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected engines. This AD is binding under Commonwealth law and any deviations without compliance may result in penalties or grounding of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ROTAX/18, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, applies to specific models of Rotax piston engines: the 912 A series, F series, and S series, as well as the 914 F series, all within certain serial number ranges (section 1). This AD also applies to any engines that have been converted to a single valve spring configuration according to the instructions in Rotax Service Instruction (SI) SI-14-1997 (section 1). The directive requires that the valve spring retainers of these engines be replaced with new improved valve retainers, as detailed in Rotax Service Bulletins (SB) 912-022 and Rotax SB-914-011, unless this has already been done (section 2). This replacement is mandated due to potential cracking of the valve spring retainers caused by delays in the purging of the lubrication system during starting (section 3).
Entities and individuals governed by this AD must ensure compliance with the requirements set out in the directive. For new engines, the replacement must occur before the next flight after the effective date of the AD, which is 27 November 2003 (section 4(a)). Engines with less than 10 hours of time-in-service (TIS) must have the replacement completed before accumulating 10 hours TIS (section 4(b)). Engines with between 10 and 25 hours TIS must have the replacement before reaching 25 hours TIS (section 4(c)). Engines that have undergone repair or maintenance involving the opening of the oil system must have the replacement within the next 10 hours TIS (section 4(d)). For engines with more than 25 hours TIS that have not been affected by section 4(d), the replacement must occur at the next 100 hour inspection after the effective date of the AD (section 4(e)).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in fines and potential legal action under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These penalties can vary based on the severity and frequency of non-compliance. It is essential for the parties affected to adhere strictly to the compliance timelines and instructions to avoid any legal repercussions.