AD 2022-13-16 Prompted By The Manufacturer Revising The Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601D-11 model turboprop engines. 

This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to include a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case for cracks. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 1, 2022.  

Supplementary Information: 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 M601D-11 model turboprop engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2022 (87 FR 22149). The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer revising the ALS of the existing EMM to include a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case for cracks. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the existing EMM to incorporate a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case for cracks. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed that an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least 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 accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). 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. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0060, dated March 3, 2021 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 

The MCAI states: 

• The airworthiness limitations for certain M601 engine models, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the ALS.  
• These instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.  
• Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition.  
• Recently, GEAC published the ALS, as defined in this [EASA] AD, introducing a visual inspection of the Centrifugal Compressor Case.  
• For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS. 

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-2022-0459. 

FMI: www.regulations.gov