AD 2024-05547

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 18771-18774] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2024-05547]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0465; Project Identifier AD-2024-00139-E,R; Amendment 39-22702; AD 2024-05-51] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Engines, and Various Restricted Category Rotorcraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model CT7-2E1, CT7-2F1, CT7-8A, CT7-8E, CT7-8F5 engines, and various restricted category helicopters with GE Model T700-GE-700,-701A, -701C, -701D/CC, -701D, -401, -401C, CT7-2D or CT7-2D1 engines installed. This AD was prompted by at least four reports of failures of the torque reference tube magnetic insert braze joint of the power turbine drive shaft assembly within the last several months. This AD requires a phase array ultrasonic inspection of the torque reference tube magnetic insert braze joint of the power turbine drive shaft assembly for inadequate braze coverage, and repair or replacement of the power turbine drive shaft assembly if necessary. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these engines and helicopters and is now issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 1, 2024. Emergency AD 2024-05-51, issued on February 28, 2024, which contained the requirements of this amendment, was effective with actual notice. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications identified in this AD as of April 1, 2024. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0465; 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, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For service information that is incorporated by reference, contact General Electric Company, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215; phone: (513) 552-3272; email: ge.com">[email protected]; website: ge.com. You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA- 2024-0465.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: [email protected].