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 89, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13265-13267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03562]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2002; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00176-E; 
Amendment 39-22668; AD 2024-02-04]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-13-07 
for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type certificate previously 
held by WALTER Engine a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Model 
M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F 
engines. AD 2021-13-07 required recalculating the life of critical 
parts and, depending on the results of the recalculation, replacing 
those critical parts. AD 2021-13-07 also required replacing a certain 
compressor case. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-13-07, the manufacturer 
published the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing 
engine maintenance manual (EMM), which includes the calculations for 
the life of critical parts addressed by AD 2021-13-07 and prompted this 
AD. This AD continues to require the replacement of a certain 
centrifugal compressor case. This AD also includes an additional part 
number as an option for the replacement, and limits the applicability 
of this AD, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 28, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 28, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-2002; 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 material 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 material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2002.

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 to supersede AD 2021-13-07, Amendment 39-21612 (86 FR 
31601, June 15, 2021), (AD 2021-13-07). AD 2021-13-07 applied to all 
GEAC Model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and 
M601F engines. AD 2021-13-07 required recalculating the life of 
critical parts and, depending on the results of the recalculation, 
replacing critical parts. AD 2021-13-07 also requires replacing a 
certain compressor case. The FAA issued AD 2021-13-07 to prevent the 
failure of the engine.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2023 (88 
FR 73778). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2021-0125R1, dated January 
30, 2023 (EASA AD 2021-0125R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. The MCAI states that the manufacturer published the 
ALS, which incorporates certain requirements addressed by EASA 
Emergency AD 2021-0125-E, and that EASA published EASA AD 2023-0020, 
dated January 23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0020), which requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS. The MCAI limits the 
applicability to M601E engines with a centrifugal compressor case 
having part number M601-154.61 installed and removes the requirements 
that have been incorporated in the ALS.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-2002.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the 
replacement of a certain centrifugal compressor case. In the NPRM, the 
FAA also proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in the 
MCAI.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

[[Page 13266]]

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 2021-0125R1, which specifies procedures 
for replacing the centrifugal compressor case, limits the applicability 
to certain M601E engines, and removes the requirements that have been 
incorporated in the ALS.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI applies to GEAC Model M601E engines, and this AD does not 
because they do not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 13 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 centrifugal compressor      1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,105
 case equivalent flight cycles.          hour = $85.
Replace centrifugal compressor case...  10 work-hours x $85 per           65,000          65,850         856,050
                                         hour = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The FAA has 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 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-13-07, Amendment 39-21612 (86 
FR 31601, June 15, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2024-02-04 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate Previously 
held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): 
Amendment 39-22668; Docket No. FAA-2023-2002; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00176-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 28, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-13-07, Amendment 39-21612 (86 FR 31601, 
June 15, 2021) (AD 2021-13-07).

(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.) Model M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S engines 
with a centrifugal compressor case having part number (P/N) M601-
154.61 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7230, Turbine Engine 
Compressor Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer determining that the 
life limit of a compressor case having P/N M601-154.61 is not listed 
in the airworthiness limitations section of the existing engine 
maintenance manual. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
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

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Perform all 
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0125R1, dated January 30, 2023 (EASA AD 2021-0125R1).

[[Page 13267]]

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0125R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0125R1 refers to May 11, 2021 (the 
effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2021-0125-E, dated May 7, 2021), 
this AD requires using June 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-
13-07).
    (2) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2021-0125R1.

(i) 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, 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.

(j) 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].

(k) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0125R1, 
dated January 30, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0125R1, 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.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on January 29, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03562 Filed 2-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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