DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. F AA-2015-0625; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-09-AD] 

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). 

[4910-13-P] 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial 

number GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601E-11, M601E-11A, and M601F turboprop 

engines with certain part number (PIN) gas generator turbine (GOT) blades, installed. 

This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that certain GOT blades are 

susceptible to blade failure. This proposed AD would require removing from service any 

affected engine with certain GOT blades installed. We are proposing this AD to prevent 

GOT blade failure, which could lead to engine failure and loss of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 60 

DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any ofthe following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 

20590-0001. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

• Fax: 202-493-2251. 

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact GE Aviation 

Czech s.r.o., Beranovych 65, 199 02 Praha 9- Letnany, Czech Republic; phone: +420 

222 538 111; fax: +420 222 538 222. You may view this service information at the FAA, 

Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 

information on the availability ofthis material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0625; or in person at the Docket 

Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 

and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, 

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England 

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

robert.green@faa.gov. 

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite 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-2015-0625; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-09-AD" at the 

beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy aspects ofthis proposed AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to 

http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel 

concerning this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States ofthe European Community, has issued EASA AD 2015-0015, dated 

January 30, 2015 (referred to hereinafter as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI states: 

It has been demonstrated that non-shot peened Gas Generator 

Turbine (GGT) blades are susceptible to blade separation in the 

shank area due to their reduced fatigue life. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an in-flight engine 

shutdown and, consequently, reduced control of the aeroplane. 

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You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA-2015-0625. 

Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51 

GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. M601E11/30, dated December 23, 2014, and ASB No. M601E-ll/31, M601E-11A/18, 

M601F/28, dated December 23,2014. The ASBs describe procedures for removal and 

replacement of GGT blades that are not shot peened. This service information is 

reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information. 

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the Czech Republic, 

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. We are proposing this AD 

because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 

design. This proposed AD would require removing from service any affected engine with 

GGT blades installed that are not shot peened. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD affects one engine installed on an airplane of 

U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 64 hours per engine to comply 

with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about 

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$28,765 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $34,205. 

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 ofthe Agency's 

authority. 

We are 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 

We 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, 

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(2) Is not a " significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

( 44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies 

making a regulatory distinction, and 

( 4) 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 

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive 

(AD): 

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-2015-0625; Directorate 

Identifier 201 5-NE-09-AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

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(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to certain serial number (SIN) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601Ell, M601E-11A, and M601F turboprop engine models, with gas generator turbine (GGT) 

blade, part number (PIN) M601-3372.6 or M601-3372.51 , installed, as follows: 

(1)ModelM601E-ll : SINs862001 , 863008, 894018,034005,034006, 034007, 

034008, 041003 , and 042002. 

(2) Model M601E-11A: SINs 042003 , 042004, 044001 , 044002, and 961001. 

(3) Model M601F: SINs 024001 , 002001 , 003001 , 024001 , 934001 , 934002, 

961001. 

(d) Reason 

This AD was prompted by the determination that certain GGT blades are 

susceptible to blade failure. These blades are identified as blade PINs M601-3372.6 and 

M601-3372.51 , and are installed on an engine SIN identified in paragraph (c) of this AD. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent GGT blade failure, which could lead to engine failure 

and loss of the airplane. 

(e) Actions and Compliance 

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

After the effective date of this AD: 

(1) Do not return to service any affected engine with GGT blade, PIN M601-

3372.6 or M601-3372.51 , installed, after 300 hours time in service or six months, 

whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD. 

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(2) If the affected engines are subsequently disassembled or overhauled, the nonshot peened GGT blades, PIN M601-3372.6 or M601-3372.51 , are not eligible for 

installation in any other engine after removal. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email 

your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(g) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Robert Green, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803 ; phone: 781-238-7754; fax : 781-238-

7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0015, dated 

January 30,2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket 

No. FAA-2015-0625. 

(3) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. M601E-11 /30, 

dated December 23 , 2014, which is co-published as one document with M601D-1 /31 , 

M601Z/29, and M601 T/24, and ASB No. M601E-11/31, M601E-11A/18, M601F/28, 

dated December 23,2014, which is co-published as one document with M601D-1 /32, 

M601Z/30, M60 1E/61 , M601T/25, M601FS/12, M601F-22/25, M601F-32/23 , and 

M60 1 E-21/28, are not incorporated by reference in this AD. The ASBs can be obtained 

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from GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. using the contact information in paragraph (g)(4) ofthis 

proposed AD. 

(4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact GE Aviation 

Czech s.r.o., Beranovych 65, 199 02 Praha 9- Letiiany; Czech Republic; phone: +420 

222 538 111; fax: +420 222 538 222. 

(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the 

availability ofthis material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2015. 

Ann C. Mollica, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

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