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

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (BRP-Rotax) Model 915 iSc2 C24, 915 iSc3 C24, 916 iSc2 A, 916 iSc2 C24, 916 iSc3 A, and 916 iSc3 C24 engines. This AD was prompted by a report of oil leakage from cracks in the wall of the turbocharger valve housing due to insufficient thickness. This AD requires replacement of the turbocharger valve housing and reidentification of the turbocharger. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 210 (Monday, November 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 210 (Monday, November 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68882-68885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22307]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-11820; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00964-E; 
Amendment 39-23505; AD 2026-22-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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 (BRP-Rotax) Model 915 iSc2 C24, 915 iSc3 C24, 
916 iSc2 A, 916 iSc2 C24, 916 iSc3 A, and 916 iSc3 C24 engines. This AD 
was prompted by a report of oil leakage from cracks in the wall of the 
turbocharger valve housing due to insufficient thickness. This AD 
requires replacement of the turbocharger valve housing and 
reidentification of the turbocharger. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 23, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 4, 
2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-11820; 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:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1a0a592a184809280cf8494938e9180cf8494"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e6f6a5d6e4b4f5d4f004b5b5c415e4f004b5b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> 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 
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-11820.

[[Page 68883]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (516) 228-7366; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3852574b5d4850165b594c595642594a57785e5959165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cba1a4b8aebba3e5a8aabfaaa5b1aab9a48badaaaae5aca4bd">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

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-2026-11820; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2026-00964-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 
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, 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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E, dated 
September 14, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E) (also referred to as 
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on BRP-Rotax Model 915 iSc2 
A, 915 iSc3 A, 915 iSc2 C24, 915 iSc3 C24, 916 iSc2 A, 916 iSc3 A, 916 
iSc3 B, 916 iSc2 C24, and 916 iSc3 C24 engines, all serial numbers. The 
MCAI states that an occurrence was reported where, during the final 
testing of a BRP-Rotax Model 916i engine on the production line, oil 
leakage was found in the area of the turbocharger valve housing. A 
manufacturer investigation revealed cracks in the wall of the valve 
housing due to insufficient thickness, caused by a non-conforming 
manufacturing process during production of the valve housing. To 
address this potential unsafe condition, BRP-Rotax published service 
material that identifies the turbochargers with the affected valve 
housing. This service material also contains instructions for 
replacement of the valve housing and for reidentification of the 
turbocharger. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in oil leakage during engine operation, smoke generation, engine 
compartment fire, an in-flight engine shutdown, and possible loss of 
control of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-11820.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E, which specifies 
procedures for replacement of the turbocharger valve housing and 
reidentification of the turbocharger. 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 
(CAA) 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 accomplishing the actions specified in the 
material already described, except as discussed under ``Differences 
Between this AD and the MCAI.''

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    BRP-Rotax Model 915 iSc2 A, 915 iSc3 A, and 916 iSc3 B engines do 
not have an FAA type certificate, therefore this AD does not include 
those engines in the applicability.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary 
source of information for compliance with requirements for 
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with 
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E is 
incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as 
the heading of a particular section in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E 
does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For 
example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and 
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited 
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E. Material required by EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0178-E for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-11820 after this AD is published.

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

[[Page 68884]]

rule because cracks in the wall of the turbocharger valve housing could 
result in oil leakage during engine operation, smoke generation, engine 
compartment fire, an in-flight engine shutdown, and possible loss of 
control of the airplane. At this time, the growth rate of the cracking 
of the turbocharger valve housing has not been determined. For these 
reasons, this AD must be accomplished before further flight after the 
effective date of this AD. 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 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 51 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of valve housing and             2 work-hours x $85 per hour =        $150        $320       $16,320
 reidentification of turbocharger.            $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

2026-22-03 BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-Powertrain GMBH & CO 
KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): Amendment 39-23505; Docket No. FAA-
2026-11820; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00964-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 4, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-
POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) Model 915 iSc2 
C24, 915 iSc3 C24, 916 iSc2 A, 916 iSc2 C24, 916 iSc3 A, and 916 
iSc3 C24 engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 8120, Exhaust 
Turbocharger.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of oil leakage from cracks in 
the wall of the turbocharger valve housing due to insufficient 
thickness. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the wall 
of the turbocharger valve housing. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in oil leakage during engine operation, 
smoke generation, engine compartment fire, an in-flight engine 
shutdown, and possible loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Emergency AD 2026-0178-E, dated September 14, 2026 (EASA Emergency 
AD 2026-0178-E).

(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E

    (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0178-E refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0178-E.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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

[[Page 68885]]

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 (j) of this AD and 
email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aeefe3e1edeec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f2b3bfbdb1b2949393dc959d84">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    (2) 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.

(j) 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: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bad0d5c9dfcad294d9dbcedbd4c0dbc8d5fadcdbdb94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="056f6a7660756d2b666471646b7f64776a456364642b626a73">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

(k) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 
2026-0178-E, dated September 14, 2026.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#68292c1b280d091b09460d1d1a071809460d1d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9edfdaeddefbffedffb0fbebecf1eeffb0fbeb">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the 
EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9bfabf7b0b7aaa9bcbaadb0b6b799b7b8abb8f7beb6af"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82e4f0acebecf1f2e7e1f6ebedecc2ece3f0e3ace5edf4">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on October 23, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-22307 Filed 10-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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