Airworthiness Directives; BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG (Formerly BRP-Powertrain GMBH & CO KG and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH) Engines
Key claim: The FAA is requiring owners of certain BRP-Rotax 915 and 916 aircraft engines to replace a too-thin turbocharger valve housing that can crack and leak oil, and to reidentify the turbocharger.
Abstract
(Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) 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.
Why this matters
Turbocharger valve housings on the Rotax 915/916 engine family are produced below the designed wall thickness, creating a crack-and-oil-leak risk that could lead to in-flight engine problems on the light aircraft that commonly use these engines. The FAA’s mandatory replacement and re-identification action is a routine but concrete safety response, continuing the pattern of part-level ADs targeting manufacturing defects in piston and turbine engines.