[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78532-78535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27670]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1239; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00301-E; 
Amendment 39-22279; AD 2022-26-01]
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.

[[Page 78533]]


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) M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, 
M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601F, H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, 
H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by 
reports of cracks in dilution tube weld areas of the combustion chamber 
outer liner. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope 
inspections (BSIs) of the dilution tube weld areas of the combustion 
chamber outer liner and, depending on the results of the inspections, 
replacement of the combustion chamber outer liner 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 January 26, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 26, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1239; 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:
     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.
     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-2022-1239.

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 M601D-11, 
M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601F, 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 September 27, 2022 (87 FR 
58466). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0034, dated March 4, 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 
occurrences of cracks in dilution tube weld areas of the combustion 
chamber outer liner have been reported. These cracks can lead to crack 
propagation, possibly resulting in part separation, loss of engine 
power, and reduced control of the aircraft.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive 
BSIs of the dilution tube weld areas of the combustion chamber outer 
liner and, depending on the results of the inspections, corrective 
action in accordance with the service information. 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-2022-1239.

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 GEAC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB-H75-72-40-
00-0056 [01], ASB-M601E-72-40-00-0113 [01], ASB-H80-72-40-00-0099 [01], 
ASB-M601D-72-40-00-0081 [01], ASB-M601F-72-40-00-0064 [01], ASB-M601Z-
72-40-00-0063 [01], and ASB-H85-72-40-00-0045 [01], (single document; 
formatted as service bulletin identifier [revision number]), dated 
February 16, 2022. This service information specifies procedures for 
BSIs of the dilution tube weld areas of the combustion chamber outer 
liner and replacement of the combustion chamber outer liner.
    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 33 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
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BSI of combustion chamber outer liner.  2.5 work-hours x $85 per              $0         $212.50       $7,012.50
                                         hour = $212.50.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these replacements:

[[Page 78534]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On-wing replacement of combustion chamber    64 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $74,909         $80,349
 outer liner.                                 $5,440.
In-shop replacement of combustion chamber    56 work-hours x $85 per hour =               74,909          79,669
 outer liner.                                 $4,760.
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    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:

2022-26-01 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o (Type Certificate previously held 
by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 
39-22279; Docket No. FAA-2022-1239; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00301-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 26, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601D-11, 
M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601F, H75-100, H75-200, 
H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines 
installed on single-engine airplanes, with an installed combustion 
chamber outer liner having part numbers (P/Ns) M601-229.3, M601-
229.3A, M601-229.3B, M601-229.31A, or M601-229.31B.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in dilution tube weld 
areas of the combustion chamber outer liner. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the combustion chamber outer liner. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained 
release of the combustion chamber outer liner, loss of engine power, 
and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next 300-hour (Type 3) engine inspection, or within 
25 flight hours (FHs) after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 FHs, 
perform a borescope inspection (BSI) of the dilution tube weld areas 
of the combustion chamber outer liner in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.1 of GEAC Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) ASB-H75-72-40-00-0056 [01], ASB-M601E-72-40-00-0113 
[01], ASB-H80-72-40-00-0099 [01], ASB-M601D-72-40-00-0081 [01], ASB-
M601F-72-40-00-0064 [01], ASB-M601Z-72-40-00-0063 [01], and ASB-H85-
72-40-00-0045 [01] (single document; formatted as service bulletin 
identifier [revision number]), dated February 16, 2022 (the ASB).
    (2) If a crack is detected during any BSI required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, perform the applicable 
corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.1, Table 1 of the ASB.

(h) Terminating Action

    Replacing the affected combustion chamber outer liner with a 
combustion chamber outer liner that does not have P/N M601-229.3, 
M601-229.3A, M601-229.3B, M601-229.31A, or M601-229.31B, constitutes 
a terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(i) Conditional Part Installation

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, it is permissible to 
install an engine, having an affected combustion chamber outer liner 
installed, on a single-engine airplane, provided that prior to 
operation, the BSI required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD is 
performed and, depending on the findings, the applicable corrective 
actions are performed as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, it is permissible to 
install an affected combustion chamber outer liner on the engine of 
a single-engine airplane, provided that it is a part eligible for 
installation, as defined in paragraph (j) of this AD, and provided 
that prior to operation, the BSI required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD is performed and, depending on the findings, the applicable 
corrective actions are performed as required by paragraph (g)(2) of 
this AD.

(j) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for installation'' 
is an affected combustion chamber outer liner, which was not 
previously installed on an engine, or an affected combustion chamber 
outer liner that,

[[Page 78535]]

before installation, has passed an inspection (no defects found) in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.2 and 
2.3 of the ASB, or a combustion chamber outer liner that does not 
have P/Ns M601-229.3, M601-229.3A, M601-229.3B, M601-229.31A, or 
M601-229.31B.

(k) 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 (l)(2) of this AD or email to: [email protected]. 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.

(l) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0034, dated March 4, 2022, for related information. This EASA 
AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1239.
    (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].

(m) 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 s.r.o. (GEAC) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
ASB-H75-72-40-00-0056 [01], ASB-M601E-72-40-00-0113 [01], ASB-H80-
72-40-00-0099 [01], ASB-M601D-72-40-00-0081 [01], ASB-M601F-72-40-
00-0064 [01], ASB-M601Z-72-40-00-0063 [01], and ASB-H85-72-40-00-
0045 [01] (single document; formatted as service bulletin identifier 
[revision number]), dated February 16, 2022.
    (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 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.
    (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 December 7, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-27670 Filed 12-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


