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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0316; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00461-E;
Amendment 39-21657; AD 2021-15-10]
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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H75-200, H80-100, and H80-200 model
turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by several reports of engine
gas generator speed (Ng) rollbacks occurring below idle on GEAC H75-
200, H80-100, and H80-200 model turboprop engines. This AD requires an
inspection of a certain part number (P/N) fuel control unit (FCU) and,
if deficiencies are detected, replacement of the FCU with a part
eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 21, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
21, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact GE Aviation Czech, Beranovych 65 199 02 Praha 9--
Letnany, 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
(781) 238-7759. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0316.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0316; 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: (781) 238-7146; fax: (781) 238-7199; email:
barbara.caufield@faa.gov.
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 H75-200, H80-
100, and H80-200 model turboprop engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 20, 2021 (86 FR 20465). The NPRM was prompted
by several reports of engine gas generator speed (Ng) rollbacks
occurring below idle on GEAC H75-200, H80-100, and H80-200 model
turboprop engines. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of a
certain P/N FCU and, if deficiencies are detected, replacement of the
FCU with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2020-0082, dated April 1, 2020 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The MCAI states:
Several occurrences have been reported of engine gas generator
speed (Ng) rollbacks below idle on engines equipped with an affected
part.
The investigation determined that, during these events, the
engine control lever (ECL) was set to idle, and identified as
contributing factors specific environmental temperatures, possibly
in combination with a high power off-take. The idle setting may be
used in flight, in particular during the approach phase.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to loss
of engine power and eventually, on a single engine aeroplane,
possibly result in loss of control.
To address this potential unsafe condition, GEAC issued the ASB
providing applicable instructions.
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-2021-0316.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
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. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GE Aviation Czech Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
ASB-H80-73-00-00-0052[00]/ASB-H75-73-00-00-0022[00] (single document),
Revision 00, dated February 6, 2020. The service information specifies
procedures for performing a functional inspection of the FCU, P/N LUN
6590.07-8, and replacing the FCU. 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.
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
|
| Functional Inspection of FCU |
0.50 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $42.50 |
$0
|
$42.50
|
$1,402.50
|
| Replace FCU |
4 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$340 |
25,000
|
25,340
|
836,220
|
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 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.
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:
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