Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate Previously Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Turboprop Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2501-2503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00490]



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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 2501]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00062-E; 
Amendment 39-22301; AD 2023-01-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and 
MOTORLET a.s.) Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-
200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD is prompted 
by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section 
(ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to introduce 
updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe 
life for the main shaft. This AD requires revising the ALS of the 
existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the updated 
coefficients and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; 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 
address for Docket Operations is 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: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GEAC H75-100, H75-
200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop 
engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2022 
(87 FR 64175). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0008, dated January 19, 
2022, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union 
(referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the 
airworthiness limitations for H series engine models, which are 
approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the ALS of the 
GEAC EMM. These instructions have been identified as mandatory for 
continued airworthiness. Failure to accomplish these instructions could 
result in an unsafe condition. The MCAI explains that recently GEAC 
published a revision to the ALS, introducing updated coefficients for 
the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the updated 
coefficients and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts. 
An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate 
may revise the ALS of the existing EMM, and the owner/operator must 
enter compliance with the applicable paragraphs of the AD into the 
aircraft records in showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 
14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. This is 
an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1302.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority 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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed the ALS of the GEAC EMM, Part No: 0983402, Rev. 
22, dated December 18, 2020. This service information provides updated 
coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for 
the main shaft.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 33 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 2502]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS of the EMM and the     1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85           $2,805
 operator's existing approved          hour = $85.
 maintenance or inspection program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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:

2023-01-07 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o (Type Certificate previously held 
by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 
39-22301; Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00062-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is February 21, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate 
previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET 
a.s.) H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 
model turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine 
maintenance manual (EMM) to introduce updated coefficients for the 
calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of 
a critical part, 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

    (1) Within 90 days of the effective date of this AD, revise the 
ALS of the existing EMM and the existing approved maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information in 
Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and recalculate the cycles 
accumulated on critical parts.

                                 Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)--Equivalent Cyclic Life (N) and Safe Life of Critical Parts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Abbreviated  flight cycle    Flight  mission      Equivalent
                                                                                                coefficient              coefficient      cyclic life
                   Description                                Drawing No.            -------------------------------------------------       limit
                                                                                                                                      ------------------
                                                                                            AV              AP               L                 N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Shaft......................................  M601-1017.75......................               0.47                         1.05             16,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) After performing the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, except as provided in paragraph (h) of this AD, no 
alternative life limits may be approved.
    (3) The action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as 
required by Sec.  91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) 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 Sec.  
39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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 (i)(2) of this AD and email 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.

[[Page 2503]]

(i) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0008, dated January 19, 2022, for related information. This 
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1302.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara 
Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
[email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on January 6, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00490 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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