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

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6455-6456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0658; Product Identifier 2017-NE-20-AD; Amendment 
39-19195; AD 2018-03-22]
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 GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-
11S, and M601F turboprop engines. This AD requires removal of certain 
power turbine (PT) disks installed on the affected engines. This AD was 
prompted by a design review by the manufacturer that determined PT 
rotors with certain disks have less overspeed margin than originally 
stated during product certification. We are issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759.

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-2017-
0658; 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7754; 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 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. 
M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F 
turboprop engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 22, 2017 (82 FR 44355). The NPRM was prompted by a design 
review by the manufacturer that determined PT rotors with certain disks 
have less overspeed margin than originally stated during product 
certification. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the affected PT 
disks. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.
    The MCAI states:

    It was identified during a recent design review that power 
turbine (PT) rotors with certain disks, part number (P/N) M601-
3220.6 and P/N M601-3220.7, have a reduction in the declared 
theoretical PT rotor overspeed limit.
    This condition, if not corrected, may lead to high energy debris 
release in case of PT rotor overspeed occurrence, possibly resulting 
in damage to, and/or reduced control of, the aeroplane.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0658.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We considered the comment received. Cody Hargis (not 
further identified) supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. ASB-M601E-72-50-00-0069, ASB-M601D-72-50-00-0052, ASB-M601F-72-50-
00-0035, ASB-M601T-72-50-00-0028, and ASB-M601Z-72-50-00-0038, (single 
document), dated February 21, 2017. The ASB describe procedures for 
replacing the PT disk.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 50 engines installed on airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 6456]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disk removal and replacement........  56 work-hours x $85 per          $6,989          $11,749         $587,450
                                       hour = $4,760.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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 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, 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):

2018-03-22 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate previously 
held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): 
Amendment 39-19195; Docket No. FAA-2017-0658; Product Identifier 
2017-NE-20-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 21, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, 
M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F turboprop engines, with 
power turbine (PT) rotors with disks, part number (P/N) M601-3220.6 
or P/N M601-3220.7, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a review by the manufacturer that 
determined that PT rotors with disks, P/N M601-3220.6 or P/N M601-
3220.7, have less overspeed margin than originally declared during 
product certification. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the PT rotor. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in failure of the PT rotor, uncontained release of the PT disk, 
damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    After the effective date of this AD, remove the affected PT disk 
from service during the next engine overhaul or rebuild, or within 5 
years, whichever occurs first.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
PT disk on any engine.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. You may email your 
request to: [email protected].
    (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) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2017-0100, 
dated June 8, 2017, 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-2017-0658.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 8, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02994 Filed 2-13-18; 8:45 am]
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