Rotax 912 Alert Service Bulletin

Rotax has just released Alert Service Bulletins ASB-912-059 / 915-042, and they require the crankshafts on select 912s and 914s to be inspected before any further flying, and no later than January 2012.  This is a mandatory bulletin, which means if you are flying an SLSA, you must comply with it.  ELSA pilots do not have to comply, but since the consequences of non-compliance are pretty severe, compliance is an awfully good idea.

Evidently Rotax has discovered one or more cranks with cracks on the crankshaft journal on the output side.  The service bulletins specify by serial number which engines are affected and provide instructions for inspections.

If you have purchased a 912 aircraft from Precision Windsports you are NOT affected by these bulletins.  The serial numbers of all the affected 912UL engines start with a 6 whereas all units sold by Precision Windsports start with a 4 or a 5.  So if you purchased your aircraft from Precision Windsports, you are not affected by these alert service bulletins. However, if you have a 912 powered aircraft that you have purchased elsewhere then please download the bulletins and compare your serial number with the affected numbers.

If you are affected take your aircraft to the nearest Rotax service center for the required inspection.  If you have any questions, please direct them to an Authorized Rotax Repair Station such as Lockwood Aviation.  Please don't send your questions to Precision Windsports.

If you have not already signed up with Rotax Owners, then now would be a good time to do that.  By being a member of Rotax Owners you will be automatically notified whenever a new service bulleting is released.