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

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44033-44035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14586]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0664; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01527-E; 
Amendment 39-22483; AD 2023-12-24]
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.) 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 all 
GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type certificate previously held by 
WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Model M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, H75-100, H80-100, and H85-100 engines. This AD is prompted 
by reports of multiple failures of the needle bearing installed in 
propeller governors having part numbers (P/Ns) P-W11-1 or P-W11-2, 
caused by self-generated debris from the needle bearing, which led to 
oil contamination. This AD requires replacement of the affected 
propeller governors with a redesigned propeller governor and prohibits 
installation of the affected propeller governors, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 15, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 15, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0664; 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 service information identified in this final rule, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: 
+49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. 
You may find this service information on the EASA website at 
ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <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 service information at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2023-0664.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
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 Model M601E-
11AS, M601E-11S, H75-100, H80-100, and H85-100 engines. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2023 (88 FR 20784). The 
NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0234, dated December 1, 2022, issued 
by 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 there have been reports of multiple needle bearing failures that 
affect propeller governors having P/Ns P-W11-1 and P-W11-2. Further 
investigation revealed that those failures were caused by self-
generated debris from the needle bearing, which led to oil 
contamination.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions 
specified in EASA AD 2022-0234, described previously, except for any 
differences or exceptions identified in the NPRM. 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-2023-0664.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0234, which specifies procedures for 
the replacement of propeller governors having P/Ns P-W11-1 and P-W11-2 
with a redesigned propeller governor.
    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 seven engines installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 44034]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove and replace propeller          3 work-hours x $85 per           $7,000           $7,255          $50,785
 governor.                             hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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:

2023-12-24 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): 
Amendment 39-22483; Docket No. FAA-2023-0664; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-01527-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 15, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Model M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, H75-100, H80-100, and H85-100 engines, as identified in 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0234, dated 
December 1, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0234).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6122, Propeller 
governor; 7200, Engine (turbine/turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple failures of the needle bearing 
installed in certain propeller governors, caused by self-generated 
debris from the needle bearing, which led to oil contamination. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent needle bearing failures in certain 
propeller governors. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in loss of propeller control oil pressure, failure of the 
engine, reduced control of the airplane, and damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0234.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0234

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0234 specifies compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2022-0234.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2022-0234.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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) 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0234, dated 
December 1, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0234, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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.

[[Page 44035]]

    (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 June 28, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14586 Filed 7-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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