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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1302; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00062-E;
Amendment 39-22301; AD 2023-01-07]
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) H75-100, 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: (781) 238-7146; 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 H75-100, 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
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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 x $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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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