[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10099-10102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03248]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1021; Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00120-E]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Turboprop 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 
2016-07-13 and AD 2018-03-22 which apply to certain GE Aviation Czech 
s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F 
turboprop engines. AD 2016-07-13 requires inspection of the engine 
power turbine (PT) disk and, if found damaged, its replacement with a 
part eligible for installation. AD 2018-03-22 requires the removal of 
certain engine PT disks identified by part number (P/N) installed on 
the affected engines. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-07-13 and AD 2018-
03-22, the manufacturer identified additional P/Ns and serial numbers 
(S/Ns) of engine PT disks affected by damage or non-conformity. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection of the engine PT disk and, if 
found damaged, its replacement with a part eligible for installation. 
This proposed AD would also require the removal of certain engine PT 
disks identified by P/N installed on the affected engines. 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 April 6, 
2020.

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 s.r.o., Beranov[yacute]ch 65, 199 02 Praha 9--
Let[ncaron]any, Czech Republic; phone: +420 222 538 111; fax +420 222 
538 222; email: [email protected]. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1021; 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), 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mehdi Lamnyi, Aerospace Engineer, ECO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-1021; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2019-00120-E'' at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. 
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 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 FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    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 Mehdi Lamnyi, Aerospace 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.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2016-07-13, Amendment 39-18458 (81 FR 20222, 
April 7, 2016), (``AD 2016-07-13''), and AD 2018-03-22, Amendment 39-
19195 (83 FR 6455, February 14, 2018), (``AD 2018-03-22'') for certain 
GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, and M601F turboprop engines. AD 2016-07-13 requires 
inspection of the engine PT disk and, if found damaged, its replacement 
with a part eligible for installation. AD 2016-07-13 resulted from the 
discovery of damage to certain engine PT disks during engine shop 
visits. AD 2018-03-22 requires the removal of certain engine PT disks 
installed on the affected engines. AD 2018-03-22 resulted from a design 
review by the manufacturer that determined engine PT rotors with 
certain engine PT disks have less overspeed margin than originally 
stated during product certification.
    The FAA issued AD 2016-07-13 to prevent failure of the engine PT 
disk, which could result in release of high-energy debris, damage to 
the engine,

[[Page 10100]]

and reduced control of the airplane. The FAA issued AD 2018-03-22 to 
prevent failure of the engine PT rotor, which could result in 
uncontained release of the engine PT disk, damage to the engine, and 
damage to the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2016-07-13 and 2018-03-22 Were Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2016-07-13 and AD 2018-03-22, The European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2019-
0143, dated June 13, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    During engine shop visits or overhauls, certain PT discs may 
have been damaged in the area of the balance weights. Additional PT 
discs with non-conforming geometry of the slot radius may also have 
been released to service as a result of incorrect machining of the 
PT disc slot.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to PT 
disc failure, with subsequent release of high-energy debris, 
possibly resulting in damage to, and/or reduced control of, the 
aeroplane. To address this potential unsafe condition, GEAC 
published a Service Bulletin (SB) to provide instructions to inspect 
and, depending on findings, replace certain PT discs, and EASA 
issued AD 2016-0025-E accordingly.
    After that AD was issued, it was identified that PT rotors with 
certain P/N discs have a reduction in the declared theoretical PT 
rotor overspeed limit. Consequently, GEAC issued a new ASB, 
providing PT disc replacement instructions, and EASA issued AD 2017-
0100, to require replacement of the affected PT discs, and to 
prohibit their further installation.
    After those ADs were issued, GEAC identified additional P/N and 
s/n of PT discs affected by damage or non-conformity. For those, as 
well as for the PT discs affected by the reduction of the declared 
theoretical PT rotor overspeed limit, an update of the risk 
assessment was performed, and GEAC issued the original issue of the 
ASB, later revised, providing applicable instructions.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2019-0061, retaining the 
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0025-E and EASA AD 2017-0100, which 
were superseded, and requiring a one-time inspection and, depending 
on findings, replacement of certain PT discs identified by P/N and 
s/n. That [EASA] AD also required replacement of certain PT discs 
identified by P/N, and prohibited (re)installation of affected 
parts.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it has been determined that the 
compliance time for replacement of affected part on Group 2 engines 
has to be amended, and GEAC published the ASB (now at Revision 02).
    For the reason stated above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2019-0061, which is superseded, introducing 
amended compliance times for Group 2 engines.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1021.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE Aviation Czech s.r.o Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) ASB-M601E-72-50-00-0069[02], ASB-M601D-72-50-00-0052[02], ASB-
M601T-72-50-00-0028[02], ASB-M601F-72-50-00-0035[02] and ASB-M601Z-72-
50-00-0038[02] (single document), dated June 11, 2019. The ASB provides 
procedures for replacing the engine PT disk. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

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

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2016-07-13 
and AD 2018-03-22. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the 
engine PT disk and, if found damaged, its replacement with a part 
eligible for installation. This proposed AD would also require the 
removal of certain engine PT disks identified by P/N installed on the 
affected engines. In addition, this proposed AD expands the 
applicability to additional engine PT disk P/Ns and S/Ns affected by 
the damage or non-conformity.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2019-0143, dated June 13, 2019, identifies the 
applicability as GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D, M601D-1, M601D-2, 
M601D-11, M601D-11NZ, M601E, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-
11S, M601E-21, M601F, M601FS, M601F-11, M601F-22, M601F-32, M601T, and 
M601Z turboprop engines. This proposed AD is applicable to only GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-
11S, and M601F turboprop engines. The GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. 
turboprop engines not listed in this proposed AD have not been type 
validated for operation in the United States.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 24 GE Aviation 
Czech s.r.o. M601 turboprop engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates that 12 affected turboprop engines are 
``Group 1'' engines and 12 are ``Group 2'' engines.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
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Inspect the engine PT disk (Group 1  52 work-hours x $85 per                  $0          $4,420         $53,040
 engines).                            hour = $4,420.
Replace the engine PT disk (Group 2  56 work-hours x $85 per               6,989          11,749         140,988
 and 3 engines).                      hour = $4,760.
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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 
proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
engines that might need this replacement:

[[Page 10101]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
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Replace the engine PT disk (Group 1 engines)..  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $6,989          $7,669
                                                 $680.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in 
its cost estimate.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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) 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD) 2016-07-13, Amendment 39-18458 
(81 FR 20222, April 7, 2016), and AD 2018-03-22, Amendment 39-19195 (83 
FR 6455, February 14, 2018), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

GE Aviation Czech s.r.o.: Docket No. FAA-2019-1021; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2019-00120-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by April 6, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-07-13, Amendment 39 18458 (81 FR 20222, 
April 7, 2016), and AD 2018-03-22, Amendment 39-19195 (83 FR 6455, 
February 14, 2018).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-
11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of damage to certain 
engine power turbine (PT) disks and a review by the manufacturer 
that determined that certain engine PT rotors have less overspeed 
margin than originally declared during product certification. This 
AD was also prompted by the manufacturer identifying additional P/Ns 
and serial numbers of engine PT disks affected by damage or non-
conformity since publishing AD 2016-07-13 and AD 2018-03-22. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine PT disk and 
rotor. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
uncontained release of the engine PT disk and rotor, 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

    (1) For Group 1 engines: Before the engine PT disk accumulates 
the number of cycles since new as specified in Attachment B of GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB-M601E-72-50-
00-0069[02], ASB-M601D-72-50-00-0052[02], ASB-M601T-72-50-00-
0028[02], ASB-M601F-72-50-00-0035[02] and ASB-M601Z-72-50-00-
0038[02] (single document), dated June 11, 2019 (``the ASB''), or at 
the next engine shop visit, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection, dimensional 
inspection, and fluorescent penetrant inspection on the engine PT 
disk in accordance with Attachment G, Inspection Instruction, of the 
ASB.
    (2) If, during the inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any damage is detected, or a non-conforming slot radius is 
found that exceeds the acceptability criteria as defined in Table 
1--PT Disc P/N M601-3220.5 inspection limits of the ASB, before 
further flight, remove the affected engine PT disk from service and 
replace it with a part eligible for installation in accordance with 
Attachment F, Replacement Instruction, of the ASB.
    (3) For Group 2 engines: Within the compliance time identified 
in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, modify the engine by 
removing the affected engine PT disk from service and replacing it 
with a part eligible for installation in accordance Attachment F, 
Replacement Instruction, of the ASB.

[[Page 10102]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21FE20.000

    (4) For Group 3 engines: Within five years after March 21, 2018 
(the effective date of AD 2018-03-22), or during the next engine 
shop visit after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first, remove the affected engine PT disk from service and replace 
it with a part eligible for installation in accordance with 
Attachment F, Replacement Instruction, of the ASB.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, a Group 1 engine is a GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. turboprop engine that has an engine PT disk 
having P/N M601-3220.5 and S/N 407560-158, 407560-164, 406380-196 or 
407560-190, installed.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a Group 2 engine is a GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. turboprop engine that has an engine PT disk 
having P/N M601-3220.6 or P/N M601-3220.7, and a S/N listed in 
Attachment C of the ASB, installed.
    (3) For the purpose of this AD, a Group 3 engine is a GE 
Aviation Czech s.r.o. turboprop engine that has an engine PT disk 
having P/N M601-3220.6 or P/N M601-3220.7, and any S/N not listed in 
Attachment C of the ASB, installed.
    (4) For the purpose of this AD, an ``affected part'' is an 
engine PT disk having P/N M601-3220.5 and S/N 407560-158, 407560-
164, 406380-196 or 407560-190, except those that passed an 
inspection (no defects detected) in accordance with Attachment G, 
Inspection Instruction, of the ASB. An ``affected part'' is also an 
engine PT disk having P/N M601-3220.6 or M601-3220.7.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the inspections and engine PT disk 
replacements that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD if you 
performed the inspections and replacement before the effective date 
of this AD using the ASB, Revision 01 or the original issue.

(j) No Reporting Requirement

    The reporting requirements in the Attachment G, Inspection 
Instruction, of the ASB, are not required by this AD.

(k) 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 (l)(1) of this AD. You may email your request 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Mehdi Lamnyi, 
Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7743; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0143, dated June 13, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2019-1021.
    (3) For 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; fax +420 
222 538 222; email: [email protected]. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 13, 2020.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03248 Filed 2-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P