DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0625; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-09-AD;
Amendment 39-18253; AD 2015-17-20]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
serial number (S/N) GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601E-11, M601E-11A, and
M601F turboprop engines with certain part number (P/N) gas generator
turbine (GGT) blades, installed. This AD requires removing from service
any affected engine with certain GGT blades installed. This AD was
prompted by the determination that certain GGT blades are susceptible
to blade failure. We are issuing this AD to prevent GGT blade failure,
which could lead to engine failure and loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: See the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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 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: 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.

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 21, 2015 (80 FR
22136). The NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 22136, April 21,
2015).
In our review of the NPRM, we found that we had included an S/N
from the MCAI that was in error. We corrected the error by removing S/N
961001 from paragraph (c)(2) of this AD.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this 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 AD. The average labor rate is $85
per hour. Required parts cost about $28,765 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this 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 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.
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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):