[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22149-22153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08005]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0459; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00266-E]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601D-11 model turboprop 
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the 
airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing engine 
maintenance manual (EMM) to include a visual inspection of the 
centrifugal compressor case for cracks. This proposed AD would require 
revising the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate a visual inspection 
of the centrifugal compressor case. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 31, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact GE 
Aviation Czech, Beranov[yacute]ch 65, 199 02 Praha 9--Let[ncaron]any, 
Czech Republic; phone: +420 222 538 999; email: [email protected]. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0459; 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 NPRM, the 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

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:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0459; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00266-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this NPRM because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2021-0060, dated March 3, 2021 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    The airworthiness limitations for certain M601 engine models, 
which are approved by

[[Page 22150]]

EASA, are currently defined and published in the ALS. These 
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued 
airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    Recently, GEAC published the ALS, as defined in this [EASA] AD, 
introducing a visual inspection of the Centrifugal Compressor Case.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0459.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information. The FAA 
is proposing this AD because the agency evaluated all the relevant 
information provided by EASA and has determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed GE Aviation Czech Airworthiness Limitations R18, 
Section 5. Mandatory Inspections, of the GE Aviation Czech EMM, Part 
No. 0982309, Revision No. 18, dated December 18, 2020 (Airworthiness 
Limitations R18, Section 5. Mandatory Inspections). Airworthiness 
Limitations R18, Section 5. Mandatory Inspections, of the EMM specifies 
procedures for performing a visual inspection of the centrifugal 
compressor case for cracks.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing EMM 
to incorporate a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case 
for cracks. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least 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 accordance with 14 CFR 
43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). This is an exception 
to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    The MCAI specifies replacing each component before exceeding the 
applicable life limit and accomplishing all the applicable maintenance 
tasks within the thresholds and intervals, as defined in the ALS. This 
proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing EMM to 
incorporate a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case. The 
MCAI specifies that if discrepancies are found during the 
accomplishment of the EASA AD, to accomplish corrective actions in 
accordance with existing GEAC instructions. The MCAI also specifies to 
contact GEAC for approved instructions if a detected discrepancy cannot 
be corrected using existing GEAC instruction. This proposed AD would 
not require performing corrective actions in accordance with existing 
GEAC instructions or contacting GEAC for approved instructions. The 
MCAI specifies revising the aircraft maintenance program within 12 
months from its effective date. This proposed AD would require revising 
the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate a visual inspection of the 
centrifugal compressor case within 90 days after the effective date of 
this proposed AD.
    The MCAI and GE Aviation Czech Airworthiness Limitations R18, 
Section 5. Mandatory Inspections, apply to GEAC M601D-1, M601D-2, 
M601D-11, M601D-11NZ, and M601Z model turboprop engines. This proposed 
AD would not apply to GEAC M601D-1, M601D-2, M601D-11NZ, and M601Z 
model turboprop engines because these model turboprop engines do not 
have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 7 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS of the EMM.............  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85            $595
                                         hour = $85.
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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

    The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 22151]]

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:

GE Aviation Czech s.r.o (Type Certificate previously held by WALTER 
Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Docket No. FAA-2022-
0459; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00266-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 31, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11 model 
turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the 
airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing engine 
maintenance manual (EMM) to include a visual inspection of the 
centrifugal compressor case for cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the centrifugal compressor case. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
centrifugal compressor case, engine separation, and loss of the 
airplane.

(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, revise 
the ALS of the existing EMM by incorporating Figure 1 to paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14AP22.045

    (2) After revising the ALS of the existing EMM required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, no alternative inspection intervals may 
be used unless they are approved as provided in paragraph (h) of 
this AD.
    (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 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4) 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.

(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 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD and email: [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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) 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].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0060, dated March 3, 2021, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2022-0459.


[[Page 22153]]


    Issued on April 8, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08005 Filed 4-13-22; 8:45 am]
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