[4910-13-P]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0482; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-06-AD; Amendment 

39-18200; AD 2015-14-02]

RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial 

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

engines. This AD requires inspection of the reduction gearbox and supporting cone. This 

AD was prompted by the determination that wear or cracking, and subsequent 

misalignment of the quill shaft of the engine and the power turbine (PT) shaft, may lead 

to rupture of the quill shaft, overspeed of the PT, and uncontained engine failure. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent misalignment and rupture of the quill shaft, which could lead 

to overspeed of the PT, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a 

certain publication listed in this AD as of [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
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ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact GE Aviation Czech 

s.r.o., Beranových 65, 199 02 Praha 9 – Letňany, Czech Republic; phone: +420 222 538 

111; fax: +420 222 538 222. It is also available on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0482.

You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 

New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this 

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-2015-0482; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this 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 Document 

Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Haberlen, Aerospace Engineer, 

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

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 

philip.haberlen@faa.gov.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by

adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was published in 

the Federal Register on April 10, 2015 (80 FR 19244). The NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

It has been identified that misalignment between the quill shaft of 

the engine and the Power Turbine (PT) shaft may lead to a rupture 

of the quill shaft. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 

overspeed of the PT and consequent uncontained engine failure, 

possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 

occupants and/or persons on the ground.

Related Service Information under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. M601E11/28, M601E-11A/15, M601F/26, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015. This service 

information describes procedures for inspecting the M601 reduction gearbox and 

supporting cone. 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 of this AD.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 19244, April 10, 2015).

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public 

interest require adopting this AD as proposed.
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Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 16 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take about 112 hours per engine to comply with this AD. 

The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $21,376 per engine. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $494,336. 

Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty coverage.

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.

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 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.
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For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(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.

Adoption of 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

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):

2015-14-02 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate previously held by WALTER 

Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 39-18200; Docket No. 

FAA-2015-0482; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-06-AD.
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(a) Effective Date

This AD becomes effective [INSERT DATE 35 DAYS AFTER DATE OF 

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601E-11, M601E-11A, and 

M601F turboprop engines with the following serial numbers (S/Ns):

(1) Model M601E-11: S/Ns 833244, 841289, 852239, 861007, 881217, 884021, 

892046, 892219, 894018, 903028, 913038, and 912023.

(2) Model M601E-11A: S/Ns 902004 and 883046.

(3) Model M601F: S/Ns 912001 and 924002.

(d) Reason

This AD was prompted by the determination that wear or cracking, and 

subsequent misalignment of the quill shaft of the engine and the power turbine (PT) shaft, 

may lead to rupture of the quill shaft, overspeed of the PT, and uncontained engine 

failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent misalignment and rupture of the quill shaft, 

which could lead to overspeed of the PT, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the 

airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

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

(1) Within 300 flight hours, or six months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, inspect the reduction gearbox and supporting cone. Use GE 
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Aviation Czech s.r.o. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, 

M601F/26, Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, paragraph 4., 

Inspection, (the issue date is not specified in the appendix), to do the inspection.

(2) If any crack is detected on the quill shaft, PT shaft, or the supporting cone, or 

if the quill shaft or PT shaft involute spline wear exceeds 0.12 mm, then before further 

flight, replace each cracked or worn part with a part eligible for installation.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

If you performed the actions required by paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD 

before the effective date of this AD using GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. ASB No. M601E11/28, M601E-11A/15, M601F/26, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2014, or Initial Issue, 

dated June 27, 2014, you have met the requirements of this AD.

(g) 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.

(h) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Philip Haberlen, Aerospace 

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

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7770; fax: 781-238-

7199; email: philip.haberlen@faa.gov.

(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0014, dated 

January 30, 2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 
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on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket 

No. FAA-2015-0482.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) 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. ASB No. M601E-11/28, M601E-11A/15, M601F/26, 

Revision 2, dated January 23, 2015, including Appendix 2, (the issue date is not specified 

in the appendix), is co-published as one document with M601D/44, M601D-1/29, 

M601D-11NZ/18, M601E/59, and M601E-21/26. 

(ii) Reserved.

(3) For GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. service information identified in this AD, 

contact GE Aviation Czech s.r.o., Beranových 65, 199 02 Praha 9 – Letňany, Czech 

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

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

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

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

(5) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 

call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
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Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 26, 2015.

Ann C. Mollica,

Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.