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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19029-19032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06772]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2022-0385; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00786-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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[[Page 19030]]

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-
11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines. This 
proposed AD was prompted by the absence of life limits for propeller 
shaft part number (P/N) M601-6081.6 in the airworthiness limitation 
section of the applicable GEAC M601 Engine Shop Manual. This AD was 
also prompted by a report that operators may not have been provided 
with enough data to determine the accumulated life of certain propeller 
shafts. For M601F model turboprop engines, this proposed AD would 
require removal and replacement of the propeller shaft before the 
propeller shaft accumulates 12,000 flight hours (FHs) since first 
installation on an engine, or before accumulating 350 FHs after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, with a part eligible 
for installation. For M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and 
M601E-11S model turboprop engines, this proposed AD would require 
calculation of the accumulated life of the propeller shaft and, 
depending on the number of accumulated FHs removal and replacement of 
the propeller shaft with a part eligible for installation. 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 16, 
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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0385; 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-2022-0385; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00786-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 proposal 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 2021-0154, dated July 1, 2021 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    It has been determined that the life limit for the propeller 
shaft P/N M601-6081.6 is not published in the applicable ALS for 
M601 engines. In addition, it has also been reported that some data, 
which can be used to determine the accumulated life of certain 
propeller shafts, may have not been provided to operators, so the 
propeller shaft life limit may not have been implemented correctly.
    These conditions, if not corrected, may lead to failure of a 
propeller shaft, possibly resulting in detachment of the propeller 
and consequent damage to the engine and/or the aircraft, and reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, GEAC issued the 
original issue of the ASB, providing applicable instructions, and 
EASA issued AD 2021-0052 to require implementation of the applicable 
life limit and replacing each propeller shaft with a serviceable 
propeller shaft.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, additional data, which can be 
used to determine the accumulated life of certain propeller shafts, 
and to support an extended compliance time for Group 1 engines, has 
been made available; GEAC revised accordingly the ASB (now at 
revision 02).
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD partially 
retains the requirements of EASA AD 2021-0052, which is superseded, 
introducing updated affected population and different compliance 
times.

    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-2022-0385.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the EASA 
AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop

[[Page 19031]]

in other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed GE Aviation Czech Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
ASB-M601F-72-10-00-0056 [02], ASB-M601D-72-10-00-0072 [02], ASB-M601E-
72-10-00-0103 [02], and ASB-M601Z-72-10-00-0056 [02] (single document; 
formatted as service bulletin identifier [revision number]), dated May 
31, 2021. This ASB specifies procedures for calculating the accumulated 
life of certain propeller shafts. This ASB also specifies procedures 
for replacing certain propeller shafts. 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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    For M601F model turboprop engines, this proposed AD would require 
removal and replacement of the propeller shaft with a part eligible for 
installation before the propeller shaft accumulates 12,000 FHs since 
first installation on an engine, or before accumulating 350 FHs after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. For M601D-11, 
M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S model turboprop engines, 
this proposed AD would require calculation of the accumulated life of 
the propeller shaft and, depending on the number of accumulated FHs, 
removal and replacement of the propeller shaft with a part eligible for 
installation.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2021-0154, dated July 1, 2021, applies to M601D, M601D-1, 
M601D-2, M601D-11, M601D-11NZ, M601E, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, 
M601E-11S, M601E-21, M601F, M601F-11, M601F-22, M601F-32, M601FS, 
M601T, and M601Z model turboprop engines. This AD does not include 
M601D, M601D-1, M601D-2, M601D-11NZ, M601E, M601E-21, M601F-11, M601F-
22, M601F-32, M601FS, M601T, and M601Z model turboprop engines as these 
engine models are not type certificated in the United States.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 14 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA 
estimates that 7 M601D-11, and 7 M601E-11 model turboprop engines 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would require calculation of 
the time since new (TSN) of the propeller shaft and removal and 
replacement of the propeller shaft. The FAA estimates that zero M601E-
11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry would require replacement of the 
propeller shaft.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calculate the total TSN of the          1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,190
 propeller shaft.                        hour = $85.
Remove and replace the propeller shaft  105 work-hours x $85 per          17,827          26,752         374,528
                                         hour = $8,925.
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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 
proposed 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

    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:

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-
0385; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00786-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 16, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 19032]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to:
    (1) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601F model turboprop 
engines with an engine serial number (ESN) listed in Attachment 1, 
List of Affected Engines--Group 1, of GE Aviation Czech Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB-M601F-72-10-00-0056 [02], ASB-M601D-72-
10-00-0072 [02], ASB-M601E-72-10-00-0103 [02], and ASB-M601Z-72-10-
00-0056 [02] (single document; formatted as service bulletin 
identifier [revision number]), dated May 31, 2021 (the ASB);
    (2) M601E-11 and M601E-11A model turboprop engines with an ESN 
listed in Attachment 2, List of Affected Parts--Group 2, of the ASB; 
and
    (3) M601D-11, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S model turboprop engines 
with propeller shaft P/N M601-6081.2 or P/N M601-6081.4.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the absence of life limits for propeller 
shaft part number (P/N) M601-6081.6 in the airworthiness limitation 
section of the applicable GEAC M601 Engine Shop Manual. This AD was 
also prompted by a report that operators may not have been provided 
with enough data to determine the accumulated life of certain 
propeller shafts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure 
of the propeller shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in damage to the engine, damage to the airplane, and 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For affected M601F model turboprop engines, before the 
propeller shaft accumulates 12,000 flight hours (FHs) since first 
installation on an engine, or before accumulating 350 FHs after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, remove the 
propeller shaft and replace with a part eligible for installation.
    (2) For affected M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and 
M601E-11S model turboprop engines:
    (i) Within 100 FHs after the effective date of this AD, 
calculate the total time since new of the propeller shaft in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.2.1, of 
the ASB.
    (ii) Remove the propeller shaft prior to reaching its applicable 
life limit and replace with a part eligible for installation in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.2.2., 
of the ASB.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' on M601F, M601E-11, and M601E-11A model turboprop 
engines is a propeller shaft identified in the Configuration 
Description, paragraph 1.5, Table 1, of the ASB, as applicable to 
the engine model, with a calculated life that has not exceeded the 
applicable life limit.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' on M601D-11 model turboprop engines is a propeller 
shaft with P/N M601-6081.2, P/N M601-6081.4, or P/N M601-6081.5, 
with a calculated life that has not exceeded the applicable life 
limit.
    (3) For the purpose of this AD, a ``part eligible for 
installation'' on M601E-11AS and M601E-11S model turboprop engines 
is a propeller shaft with P/N M601-6081.2, P/N M601-6081.5, or P/N 
M601-6081.6, with a calculated life that has not exceeded the 
applicable life limit.

(i) 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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.

(j) 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 
2021-0154, dated July 1, 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-2022-0385.
    (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. You may 
view this reference information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.

    Issued on March 25, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06772 Filed 3-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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