[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 91 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21071-21073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11257]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-03; Amendment 39-9583; AD 69-09-03 R3]


Airworthiness Directives; Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing 
Company Inc. Models M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 76EM8S() Metal 
Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company Inc. 
Models M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 76EM8S() metal propellers, that 
currently restricts operators from continuously operating the propeller 
at engine speeds from 2,150 to 2,350 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 
specifies propeller inspection and rework or replacement. This 
amendment eliminates the requirement to add tachometer markings on 
aircraft with certain additional Textron Lycoming O-360 series 
reciprocating engines with solid crankshafts installed, and updates the 
referenced Sensenich Propeller Company Inc. service bulletin to the 
latest revision. Reworking of all affected propeller models remains a 
requirement of the AD, regardless of engine installation. This 
amendment is prompted by inquiries concerning tachometer red arc 
restrictions on certain Textron Lycoming O-360 series reciprocating 
engines with solid crankshafts. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent propeller blade tip fatigue failure, which can 
result in loss of control of the aircraft.

DATES: Effective June 13, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 13, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company Inc., 519 
Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543; telephone (717) 569-0435, fax (717) 
560-3725. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (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., 7th 
Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond J. O'Neill, Aerospace

[[Page 21072]]

Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth St., Valley Stream, NY 11581; telephone 
(516) 256-7505, fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by revising AD 69-09-03, 
Amendment 39-761 (34 FR 7371, May 7, 1969); Revision 1, Amendment 39-
808 (34 FR 12563, August 1, 1969); Revision 2, Amendment 39-1102 (35 FR 
17030, November 5, 1970), was published in the Federal Register on 
December 7, 1995 (60 FR 62772). The action, applicable to Sensenich 
Propeller Manufacturing Company Inc. Models M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 
76EM8S() metal propellers, proposed to eliminate the requirement to add 
tachometer markings on aircraft with certain additional Textron 
Lycoming O-360 series reciprocating engines with solid crankshafts 
installed that restrict continuous operation between engine speeds from 
2,150 to 2,350 revolutions per minute (RPM). In addition, that action 
proposed to update the referenced Sensenich Propeller Company Inc. 
service bulletin (SB) to the latest revision.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    In the NPRM, propeller model M76EMMS was erroneously listed as 
M7EMMS. This final rule lists the correct propeller model, M76EMMS.
    In addition, since issuance of the NPRM, the manufacturer has 
advised the FAA that correct date of SB No. R-14A is July 28, 1995. 
This final rule shows the correct revision date.
    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    There are approximately 100 propellers of the affected design that 
may not have been modified to the ``K'' standard in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 50 propellers installed on aircraft of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 2.5 work hours per propeller to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $7,500. However, since this rule further restricts the 
applicability by exempting propellers installed on certain Textron 
Lycoming engine models from the tachometer restriction, there is a 
potential overall cost savings of $4,395,000, if all the affected 
Sensenich propellers are installed on the newly exempted engines.
    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-1102 (35 FR 
17030, November 5, 1970) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-9583, to read as follows:

69-09-03 R3  Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company Inc.: 
Amendment 39-9583. Docket 95-ANE-03. Revises AD 69-09-03 R2, 
Amendment 39-1102.

    Applicability: Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company Inc. 
Models M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 76EM8S() metal propellers. 
Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this airworthiness directive (AD) do not 
apply to those propellers installed on the following solid 
crankshaft Textron Lycoming O-360 series reciprocating engines: O-
360-A4A, -A4D, -A4G, -A4J, -A4K, -A4M, -A4N, -A4P, and -A5AD, or 
additional engines identified by suffixes having a digit ``4'' or 
higher in the second position. These propellers are installed on but 
not limited to the following aircraft: Piper PA-28-180, PA-28-181, 
American General Aircraft Holding Co. Inc. (formerly Gulfstream 
American) AA-5 series, Beech B23 and C23, Cessna 172Q, Avions Pierre 
Robin R-3000/160, and aircraft modified under various Supplemental 
Type Certificates (STC's).

    Note: This AD applies to each propeller identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For propellers that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (f) to request approval from the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD.In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any propeller from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent propeller blade tip fatigue failure, which 
can result in loss of control of the aircraft, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Commencing with the next flight after the effective date of 
this AD, do not operate the engine in continuous operation between 
2,150 and 2,350 RPM.
    (b) Within the next 25 hours time in service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, mark engine tachometer with a red arc 
from 2150 RPM to 2350 RPM.
    (c) For propellers with 500 or more total hours TIS, or unknown 
TIS on the effective date of this AD, inspect and rework, within the 
next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, in accordance 
with Sensenich Propeller SB No. R-14A, dated July 28, 1995. Remove 
from service those propellers that do not meet the inspection and 
rework requirements of Sensenich Propeller SB No. R-14A, dated July 
28, 1995.
    (d) For propellers with less than 500 total hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD,

[[Page 21073]]

inspect, and rework or replace, as necessary, prior to accumulating 
550 total hours TIS, in accordance with Sensenich Propeller SB No. 
R-14A, dated July 28, 1995. Remove from service those propellers 
that do not meet the inspection and rework requirements of Sensenich 
Propeller SB No. R-14A, dated July 28, 1995.
    (e) Mark with a suffix letter ``K'' propellers that have been 
inspected and, reworked in accordance with Sensenich Propeller SB 
No. R-14A, dated July 28, 1995, and found satisfactory.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety 
may be used if approved by the Manager, New York 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    (g) 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.
    (h) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Sensenich Propeller SB's:

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             Document No.                    Pages               Revision                       Date            
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No. R-13..............................  A7               Original................  April 11, 1969.              
  Total pages: 1                                                                                                
No. R-14A.............................  1                Original................  July 28, 1995.               
  Total pages: 1.                                                                                               
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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 Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing 
Company Inc., 519 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543; telephone (717) 
569-0435, fax (717) 560- 3725. 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.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on June 13, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 22, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11257 Filed 5-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U