Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40897-40899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16584]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0482; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-06-AD; 
Amendment 39-18200; AD 2015-14-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
serial number GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601E-11, M601E-11A, and M601F 
turboprop engines. This AD requires inspection of the reduction gearbox 
and supporting cone. This AD was prompted by the determination that 
wear or cracking, and subsequent misalignment of the quill shaft of the 
engine and the power turbine (PT) shaft, may lead to rupture of the 
quill shaft, overspeed of the PT, and uncontained engine failure. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent misalignment and rupture of the quill 
shaft, which could lead to overspeed of the PT, uncontained engine 
failure, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 18, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 18, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o., Beranov[yacute]ch 65, 199 02 Praha 9--
Let[ncaron]any, Czech Republic; phone: +420 222 538 111; fax: +420 222 
538 222. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0482. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0482; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; 
fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2015 (80 FR 
19244). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been identified that misalignment between the quill shaft 
of the engine and the Power Turbine (PT) shaft may lead to a rupture 
of the quill shaft.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
overspeed of the PT and consequent uncontained engine failure, 
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
occupants and/or persons on the ground.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) 
No. M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, and M601F/26, all Revision 2, all dated 
January 23, 2015. This service information describes procedures for 
inspecting the M601 reduction gearbox and supporting cone. This service 
information 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 of this AD.

[[Page 40898]]

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 19244, April 10, 
2015).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 16 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 112 hours 
per engine to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
hour. Required parts cost about $21,376 per engine. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$494,336. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2015-14-02 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate previously held 
by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 39-
18200; Docket No. FAA-2015-0482; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-06-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 18, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601E-11, M601E-11A, 
and M601F turboprop engines with the following serial numbers (S/Ns):
    (1) Model M601E-11: S/Ns 833244, 841289, 852239, 861007, 881217, 
884021, 892046, 892219, 894018, 903028, 913038, and 912023.
    (2) Model M601E-11A: S/Ns 902004 and 883046.
    (3) Model M601F: S/Ns 912001 and 924002.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the determination that wear or cracking, 
and subsequent misalignment of the quill shaft of the engine and the 
power turbine (PT) shaft, may lead to rupture of the quill shaft, 
overspeed of the PT, and uncontained engine failure. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent misalignment and rupture of the quill shaft, which 
could lead to overspeed of the PT, uncontained engine failure, and 
damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless 
already done.
    (1) Within 300 flight hours, or six months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the reduction gearbox and 
supporting cone. Use GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletins 
(ASBs) No. M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, and M601F/26, all Revision 2, all 
dated January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, paragraph 4., Inspection, 
(the issue date is not specified in the appendix), as applicable, to do 
the inspection.
    (2) If any crack is detected on the quill shaft, PT shaft, or the 
supporting cone, or if the quill shaft or PT shaft involute spline wear 
exceeds 0.12 mm, then before further flight, replace each cracked or 
worn part with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed the actions required by paragraphs (e)(1) and 
(e)(2) of this AD before the effective date of this AD using GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. ASBs No. M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, or M601F/26, 
all Revision 1, all dated December 23, 2014, as applicable, or Initial 
Issues, all dated June 27, 2014, as applicable, you have met the 
requirements of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your 
request. You may email your request to: [email protected].

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0014, 
dated January 30, 2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-0482.

[[Page 40899]]

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
M601E-11/28, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, 
(the issue date is not specified in the appendix).
    (ii) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. ASB No. M601E-11A/15, Revision 2, 
dated January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, (the issue date is not 
specified in the appendix).
    (iii) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. ASB No. M601F/26, Revision 2, dated 
January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, (the issue date is not 
specified in the appendix).

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2):  GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. ASBs No. 
M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, and M601F/26, all Revision 2, all dated 
January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, are co-published as one 
document with ASBs No. M601D/44, M601D-1/29, M601D-11NZ/18, M601E/
59, and M601E-21/26, which are not incorporated by reference.

    (3) For GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. service information identified in 
this AD, contact GE Aviation Czech s.r.o., Beranov[yacute]ch 65, 199 02 
Praha 9--Let[ncaron]any, Czech Republic; phone: +420 222 538 111; fax: 
+420 222 538 222.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 26, 2015.
Ann C. Mollica,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16584 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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