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 24 (Monday, February 6, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7578-7580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02358]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01303-E; 
Amendment 39-22304; AD 2023-01-10]
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.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-
11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines. This AD was 
prompted by the exclusion of life limits for certain compressor cases 
and compressor drums from the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) 
of the engine maintenance manual (EMM). This AD was also prompted by 
certain compressor cases that, following rework, were improperly re-
identified and the engine logbook entries were not completed. This AD 
requires recalculation of the consumed life for the affected compressor 
cases and compressor drums and, depending on the results of the 
recalculation, removal and replacement of the affected compressor case 
or compressor drum with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 13, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 13, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1414; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For GEAC 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.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1414.

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 certain GEAC M601E-11, 
M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601E-21, M601F, and M601FS model 
turboprop engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
November 09, 2022 (87 FR 67579). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0264, 
dated November 22, 2021, 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 life limits for certain compressor cases and compressor 
drums were not published in the applicable ALS of the EMM for certain 
GEAC M601 model turboprop engines. The MCAI also states that following 
rework of certain compressor cases from part number (P/N) M601-154.6 to 
P/N M601-154.51, those compressor cases were improperly re-identified 
and the engine logbook entries were not completed, which could cause 
the compressor case to remain in service beyond its applicable life 
limit. This condition can lead to failure of an affected part, possibly 
resulting in engine mount failure and high energy debris release.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require recalculation of the 
consumed life for the affected compressor cases and compressor drums 
and, depending on the results of the recalculation, removal and 
replacement of the affected compressor case or compressor drum with a 
part eligible for installation. 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-2022-1414.

[[Page 7579]]

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Revision of Paragraph (c), Applicability

    In this Final Rule, the FAA has removed GEAC M601E-21 and M601FS 
model turboprop engines from paragraph (c), Applicability, because 
those models do not have an FAA type certificate.

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 and any other 
changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GEAC Alert Service Bulletin ASB-M601F-72-30-00-
0061 [01] and ASB-M601E-72-30-00-0110 [01], (single document; formatted 
as service bulletin identifier [revision number]), dated October 15, 
2021. This service information describes procedures for recalculation 
of the consumed life of certain compressor cases and compressor drums. 
This service information also provides the part numbers of the affected 
compressor cases and compressor drums installed on GEAC M601E-11, 
M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines.
    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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 7 engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recalculate the consumed life of        .25 work-hours x $85 per              $0          $21.25         $148.75
 compressor case and compressor drum.    hour = $21.25.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the recalculated consumed 
life of the affected parts. The agency has no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace compressor case............  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $5,000          $5,850
                                                 $850.
Remove and replace compressor drum............  40 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $7,000         $10,400
                                                 $3,400.
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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:

[[Page 7580]]

2023-01-10 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o (Type Certificate previously held 
by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 
39-22304; Docket No. FAA-2022-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
01303-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 13, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601E-11, 
M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines, 
with an installed compressor case part number (P/N) M601-154.51, 
which includes compressor cases identified as, or recorded in the 
engine logbook as P/N M601-154.6; or with an installed compressor 
drum having P/N M601-130.7 or P/N M601-134.7.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7240, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that 
the life limits for certain compressor cases and compressor drums 
were not published in the applicable airworthiness limitations 
section of the engine maintenance manual. Additionally, it was 
determined that following rework, certain compressor cases were 
improperly re-identified and the engine logbook entries were not 
completed. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of the 
compressor case and compressor drum. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in engine mount failure and high energy 
debris release.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
recalculate the consumed life of the affected compressor case and 
affected compressor drum in accordance with the formula and lifing 
coefficients in paragraph 2.B., Table 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of GEAC Alert Service Bulletin ASB-M601F-72-30-00-0061 
[01] ASB-M601E-72-30-00-0110 [01] (single document; formatted as 
service bulletin identifier [revision number]), dated October 15, 
2021.
    (2) For GEAC M601E-11, M601E-11A, and M601F model turboprop 
engines, before the recalculated consumed life of an affected 
compressor case exceeds 11,000 equivalent flight cycles (FCs), 
replace the compressor case with a compressor case eligible for 
installation.
    (3) For GEAC M601E-11S and M601E-11AS model turboprop engines, 
before the recalculated consumed life of an affected compressor case 
exceeds 11,000 equivalent FCs, or within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the 
compressor case with a compressor case eligible for installation.
    (4) For all affected engines with an installed compressor drum 
having P/N M601-130.7 or M601-134.7, before the recalculated 
consumed life of the compressor drum exceeds 6,750 equivalent FCs, 
or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, replace the compressor drum with a compressor drum 
eligible for installation.

(h) Definition

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``compressor case eligible for 
installation'' is:
    (i) For GEAC M601E-11, M601E-11A, and M601F model turboprop 
engines, an affected compressor case that is identified as P/N M601-
154.51 with no reference to other P/N's and that does not have a 
recalculated consumed life that has exceeded its life limit, or a 
compressor case that is not P/N M601-154.51.
    (ii) For GEAC M601E-11S and M601E-11AS model turboprop engines, 
a compressor case that is not P/N M601-154.51.
    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1): A compressor case having P/N M601-
154.6 is not an approved configuration, and is not eligible for 
installation.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``compressor drum eligible for 
installation'' is a compressor drum that is not P/N M601-130.7 or 
M601-134.7.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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 (j)(2) of this AD and email to: [email protected].

(j) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0264, dated November 22, 2021, for related information. This 
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1414.
    (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].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 Alert Service Bulletin ASB-M601F-72-30-00-
0061 [01] and ASB-M601E-72-30-00-0110 [01], (single document; 
formatted as service bulletin identifier [revision number]), dated 
October 15, 2021.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For GEAC 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 11, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-02358 Filed 2-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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