2023-00490. 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:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to introduce updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the updated coefficients and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective February 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all GEAC H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2022 (87 FR 64175). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0008, dated January 19, 2022, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the airworthiness limitations for H series engine models, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the ALS of the GEAC EMM. These instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness. Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition. The MCAI explains that recently GEAC published a revision to the ALS, introducing updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the updated coefficients and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the ALS of the existing EMM, and the owner/operator must enter compliance with the applicable paragraphs of the AD into the aircraft records in showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. This is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1302.

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 products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed the ALS of the GEAC EMM, Part No: 0983402, Rev. 22, dated December 18, 2020. This service information provides updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 33 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Revise the ALS of the EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$2,805

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

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

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:

2023-01-07 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o (Type Certificate previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.): Amendment 39-22301; Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00062-E.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is February 21, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (Type Certificate previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine (Turbine/Turboprop).

(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 updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft. 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) Within 90 days of the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the existing EMM and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information in Table 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts.

Table 1 to Paragraph ( g )(1)—Equivalent Cyclic Life (N) and Safe Life of Critical Parts

Description	Drawing No.	Abbreviated flight cycle coefficient		Flight mission coefficient	Equivalent cyclic life limit
		A V	A P	L	N
Main Shaft	M601-1017.75	0.47		1.05	16,000

(2) After performing the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, except as provided in paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative life limits may be approved.

(3) 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 §§ 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by § 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) 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 § 39.19. In accordance with § 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 (i)(2) of this AD and email to: [e-mail].

(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.

(i) Additional Information

(1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0008, dated January 19, 2022, for related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1302.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

None.

Issued on January 6, 2023.

Christina Underwood,

Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.