[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11615-11617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4248]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-06; Amendment 39-9140; AD 95-03-03]
Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B4TN-
3/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 and HC-B4TN-3A/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 Propellers
Installed on Beech A100 and A100A Aircraft
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B4TN-3/
T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 and HC-B4TN-3A/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 propellers
installed on Beech A100 and A100A aircraft. This action requires an
initial and repetitive inspections, and specified rework or retirement,
as necessary, of the propeller hub assemblies and propeller blades.
This amendment is prompted by a determination that the current hub
design and blade repair limits do not adequately protect against
initiation of fatigue cracks in the propeller hub arm bore and do not
prevent the resonant speed of the propeller from shifting into the
permitted ground idle operating range. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent initiation of fatigue cracks in the propeller
hub arm bore and subsequent progression to failure, with departure of
the hub arm and blade, that may result in loss of aircraft control.
DATES: Effective March 17, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 17, 1995.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 1, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-06, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Hartzell Propeller Inc., One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634;
telephone (513) 778-4200, fax (513) 778-4391. This information may be
examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 232, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone
(708) 294-7031, fax (708) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1994, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) issued airworthiness directive (AD) 95-01-02,
applicable to Hartzell Model HC-B4TN-5(D,G,J)L/LT10282(B,K)-5.3R and
HC-B4TN-5(D,G,J)L/LT10282N(B,K)-5.3R propellers installed on Mitsubishi
MU-2 series aircraft. That AD requires new propeller blade repair
limits and requires replacement of propeller hubs with new improved
fatigue strength steel hubs which require inspection, and specified
rework as necessary, at a repetitive interval of 3,000 hours time in
service (TIS). That AD was prompted by a determination that the
previous hub design and blade repair limits did not adequately protect
against initiation of fatigue cracks in the propeller hub arm bore and
did not prevent the resonant speed of the propeller from shifting into
the permitted ground idle operating range when installed in Mitsubishi
MU-2 Series aircraft. That condition, if not corrected, can result in
fatigue cracks in the propeller hub arm bore and subsequent progression
to failure, with departure of the hub arm and blade, that may result in
loss of aircraft control.
The FAA has determined, based on operating stresses and similarity
of propeller type design, that similar fatigue cracks could occur in
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B4TN-3/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 and HC-
B4TN-3A/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 propellers installed on Beech A100 and
A100A aircraft.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A196A, dated
December 27, 1994, that describes procedures for initial and repetitive
inspections, and specified rework or retirement, as necessary, of the
propeller hub assemblies and propeller blades. [[Page 11616]]
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B4TN-3/
T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 and HC-B4TN-3A/T10173F(N)(B,K)-12.5 propellers of
the same type design, this AD is being issued to require initial and
repetitive inspections, and specified rework or retirement, as
necessary, of the propeller hub assemblies and propeller blades. The
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the ASB
described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95 ANE-06.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-03-03 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-9140. Docket 95-ANE-
06.
Applicability: Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B4TN-3/
T10173F(N) (B,K)-12.5 and HC-B4TN-3A/T10173F(N) (B,K)-12.5
propellers installed on Beech A100 and A100A aircraft.
Note: The parentheses indicate the presence or absence of an
additional letter(s) which vary the basic propeller blade model
designation. This airworthiness directive (AD) still applies
regardless of whether these letters are present or absent on the
propeller blade model designation.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent initiation of fatigue cracks in the propeller hub arm
bore and subsequent progression to failure, with departure of the
hub arm and blade, that may result in loss of aircraft control,
accomplish the following:
(a) For affected propellers with Time-Since-New (TSN) greater
than or equal to 3,000 hours or TSN unknown on the effective date of
this AD, within the next 150 hours Time-In-Service (TIS) or the next
12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and either
(a)(3) or (a)(4) of this AD:
(1) Remove affected propeller hub and blade assemblies from the
aircraft for inspection, and accomplish specified rework or
retirement, if necessary, in accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc.
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. A196A, dated December 27, 1994.
(2) Replace propeller blade assemblies that have been rejected
or retired per paragraph (a)(1) of this AD with propeller blade
assemblies inspected and reworked, if necessary, per paragraph
(a)(1) of this AD or new blade assemblies. Thereafter, at intervals
of 3,000 hours TIS or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first,
inspect, and rework or retire, if necessary, the blade assemblies in
accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc. ASB No. A196A, dated
December 27, 1994.
(3) Replace propeller hub assemblies that have been rejected or
retired per paragraph (a)(1) of this AD with propeller hub
assemblies that have had the hub arm bores inspected (and reworked
as necessary), pilot tubes replaced, and have a metal impression
stamp at the end of the hub serial number with suffix letter ``M'',
followed by a number (1, 2, 3, etc.) to indicate the number of
repetitive inspections performed in accordance with Hartzell ASB No.
A196A, dated December 27, 1994. Thereafter, at intervals of 600
hours TIS or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first, inspect,
and rework or retire, as necessary, the hub assemblies in accordance
with Hartzell Propeller Inc. ASB No. A196A, dated December 27, 1994.
(4) Replace propeller hub unit Part Number (P/N) 840-139 or P/N
840-89, unless already accomplished, with a hub that has compressive
rolled internal bearing bores, which is identified with the addition
of a third letter ``A'' in the hub serial number prefix (e.g.
``CDA1234''). Thereafter, at intervals of 3,000 hours TIS or 60
calendar months, whichever occurs first, inspect, and rework or
retire, as necessary, the hub assemblies in accordance with Hartzell
Propeller Inc. ASB No. A196A, dated December 27, 1994.
(b) For affected propellers with less than 3,000 hours TSN on
the effective date of this AD, within the next 300 hours TIS, or
prior to the accumulation of 3,150 hours TSN, or within the next 12
calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and either
(a)(3) or (a)(4) of this AD. [[Page 11617]]
(c) Any blade repairs made after the effective date of this AD
shall be accomplished in accordance with the procedures specified in
Hartzell ASB No. A196A, dated December 27, 1994.
(d) For propellers that experience a blade strike, as defined in
paragraph (f) of this AD, after the effective date of this AD, prior
to further flight, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and either
(a)(3) or (a)(4) of this AD.
(e) For propellers that have experienced a blade strike, as
defined in paragraph (f) of this AD, prior to the effective date of
this AD, within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and either (a)(3) or
(a)(4) of this AD.
(f) A blade strike is defined as a propeller having any blade(s)
bent beyond the repair limits specified in Hartzell Propeller Inc.
Standard Practices Manual 61-01-02, Revision 1, Pages 1104-1105,
dated June 1994.
(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office.
(h) Except when propellers have experienced a blade strike,
special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(i) The inspections and rework shall be accomplished in
accordance with the following service documents:
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Document No. Pages Date
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Hartzell Propeller Inc., ASB No. 1-5 Dec. 27, 1994.
A196A.
Total pages: 5.
Hartzell Propeller Inc., Standard 1104-1105 June 1994.
Practices Manual, 61-01-02,
Revision 1.
Total pages: 2.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Hartzell Propeller Inc., One
Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634; telephone (513) 778-4200, fax
(513) 778-4391. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(j) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 1995.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 7, 1995.
Donald F. Perrault,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4248 Filed 3-1-95; 8:45 am]
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