[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18348-18350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05247]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2149; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00136-E; 
Amendment 39-22675; AD 2024-03-05]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-13-16 
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 
M601D-11 engines; and AD 2022-14-12, for certain GEAC Model M601D-11, 
M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F engines. AD 2022-
13-16 required revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of 
the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to incorporate a visual 
inspection of the centrifugal compressor case for cracks. AD 2022-14-12 
required replacing the propeller shaft for Model M601F engines. AD 
2022-14-12 also required calculating the accumulated life of the 
propeller shaft and replacing the propeller shaft, if necessary, for 
model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S engines. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-13-16 and AD 2022-14-12, the manufacturer 
revised the ALS of the existing EMM to introduce new and more 
restrictive tasks and limitations, expand the applicability to all 
Model M601 engines, and incorporate certain requirements addressed by 
AD 2021-13-07 and AD 2023-01-10, which prompted this AD. This AD 
requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's 
existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new and more restrictive tasks and 
limitations, 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 April 17, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 17, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No.FAA-2023-2149; 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 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.
     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-2023-2149.

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 2022-13-16, Amendment 39-22102 (87 FR 
37986, June 27, 2022) (AD 2022-13-16); and AD 2022-14-12, Amendment 39-
22117 (87 FR 42066, July 14, 2022) (AD 2022-14-12).
    AD 2022-13-16 applied to all GEAC Model M601D-11 engines and 
required revising the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate a visual 
inspection of the centrifugal compressor case. The FAA issued AD 2022-
13-16 to prevent failure of the centrifugal compressor case.
    AD 2022-14-12 applied to certain GEAC Model M601D-11, M601E-11, 
M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F engines. For Model M601F 
engines, AD 2022-14-12 required replacement of the propeller shaft. For 
Model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S engines, 
AD 2022-14-12 required calculating the accumulated life of the 
propeller shaft and replacing the propeller shaft if necessary.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2023 (88 
FR 77918). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0020, dated January 
23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0020) (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 revised the ALS 
to incorporate new and more restrictive tasks and limitations, expand 
the applicability to all model M601 series engines, and include certain 
requirements that were previously addressed by EASA Emergency AD 2021-
0125-E and EASA AD 2021-0264. The MCAI also states that the 
manufacturer published service information that specifies instructions 
to determine the accumulated life of certain propeller shafts.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-2149.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing EMM and the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and more 
restrictive tasks and limitations.

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

[[Page 18349]]

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 2023-0020, which specifies procedures for 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS, including 
performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited parts, and 
revising the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating the instructions and associated thresholds 
and intervals described in the ALS, as applicable to engine model and 
depending on engine configuration.
    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 42 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS........................  1 work-hours x $85 per                $0             $85          $3,570
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 2022-13-16, Amendment 39-22102 (87 
FR 37986, June 27, 2022); and Airworthiness Directive 2022-14-12, 
Amendment 39-22117 (87 FR 42066, July 14, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2024-03-05 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): 
Amendment 39-22675; Docket No. FAA-2023-2149; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00136-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 17, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD affects AD 2021-13-07, Amendment 39-21612 (86 FR 
31601, June 15, 2021) (AD 2021-13-07).
    (2) This AD replaces AD 2022-13-16, Amendment 39-22102 (87 FR 
37986, June 27, 2022).
    (3) This AD replaces AD 2022-14-12, Amendment 39-22117 (87 FR 
42066, July 14, 2022).
    (4) This AD affects AD 2023-01-10, Amendment 39-22304 (88 FR 
7578, February 6, 2023) (AD 2023-01-10).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type 
certificate previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and 
MOTORLET a.s.) Model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, and M601F engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7210, Turbine Engine 
Reduction Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine 
maintenance manual (EMM) to introduce new and more restrictive tasks 
and limitations and associated thresholds and intervals for life-
limited parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 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

    (1) 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 
2023-0020, dated January 23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0020).
    (2) 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) 
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 
CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0020

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0020 defines the AMP as ``The Aircraft 
Maintenance Programme (AMP) contains the tasks on the basis of which 
the scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated engine,'' replace that text with 
``the aircraft

[[Page 18350]]

maintenance program containing the tasks on the basis of which the 
scheduled maintenance is conducted to ensure the continuing 
airworthiness of each operated airplane.''
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0020 specifies the ALS as ``The 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the GEAC Engine Maintenance 
Manual (EMM) No. 0982309 Revision 21,'' replace that text with ``The 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the GEAC Engine Maintenance 
Manual (EMM) No. 0982309 Revision 22.'' The ALS in Revision 22 of 
the EMM is unchanged from Revision 21.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0020 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0020 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP,'' replace that text with ``Within 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the ALS of the existing approved engine 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.''
    (5) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0020.
    (6) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0020.

(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 2023-0020.

(j) Terminating Action for Certain Actions Required by Affected ADs

    (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of 
AD 2021-13-07 for model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, and M601F engines only.
    (2) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of 
AD 2023-01-10 for model M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, 
and M601F engines only.

(k) 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 (l) 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.

(l) 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].

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0020, 
dated January 23, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0020, 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 February 7, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division,Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05247 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P