[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4061-4063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1828]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 27, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 4061]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 89-ANE-44]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )2Y( )-
( ) Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede priority letter 
airworthiness directive (AD) 90-02-23 by adopting a new AD applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )2Y( )-( ) propellers. Priority 
letter AD 90-02-23 currently requires repetitive visual inspections of 
propeller hubs for cracks using a 10X glass, and, if necessary, removal 
and replacement of cracked hubs with serviceable parts. This proposal 
would change the frequency and method of inspection by requiring 
initial and repetitive eddy current inspections (ECI) of the propeller 
hub fillet radius for cracks. In addition, this proposed AD would allow 
installation of an improved design propeller hub as terminating action 
to the repetitive ECI. This proposal is prompted by reports of cracked 
propeller hubs found in service after they had been inspected in 
accordance with the visual inspections required by the priority letter 
AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to improve 
the method for detecting propeller hub cracks, which can result in an 
inflight separation of propeller blades and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 89-ANE-44, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the 
docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Hartzell Propeller Inc., Technical Publications 
Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-
4299, fax (937) 778-4365. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-
7031, fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal 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 89-ANE-44.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 89-ANE-44, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On January 22, 1990, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
issued priority letter airworthiness directive (AD) 90-02-03, 
applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )2Y( )-( ) propellers 
specified by serial number, which requires repetitive (50 hour 
intervals) visual inspections of propeller hubs for cracks using a 10X 
glass, and, if necessary, removal and replacement of cracked hubs with 
serviceable parts. That action was prompted by reports of cracked 
propeller hubs.
    Since the issuance of that priority letter AD, the FAA has received 
fifteen reports of cracked propeller hubs that warrant that the visual 
inspection requirement be removed and replaced with an eddy current 
inspection requirement. Also, since five of the fifteen reports were of 
cracked hubs whose serial number or model number were outside the 
serial number and model number limitation denoted in the priority 
letter AD, there is a need to expand the list of affected propeller 
models and not limit it by serial number. In addition, the priority 
letter AD required that propellers be inspected if they were installed 
on any aircraft with Lycoming TIO-540 series engines and IO-540 series 
engines rated at 260 horsepower or higher certificated in any category. 
None of the reports received since the issuance of the priority letter 
AD support this general applicability requirement and it has been 
revised to address propellers installed on Piper PA-32( ) aircraft with 
Textron Lycoming 540 series engines rated at 300 HP or higher, and 
Britten Norman BN-2( ) aircraft with Textron Lycoming 540 series 
engines. Note that five of the fifteen reports do document the 
continued need to inspect propellers installed on any agricultural or 
acrobatic aircraft.

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    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61-227, dated 
January 16, 1998, that describes procedures for eddy current 
inspections (ECI) of propeller hub fillet radius for cracks, and also 
describes procedures for installation of an improved design propeller 
hub.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other propellers of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would supersede priority letter AD 90-02-03 to expand the 
models of propellers affected and to require initial and repetitive 
(150 hour intervals) ECI of propeller hub fillet radius for cracks, 
and, if necessary, removal from service of cracked hubs and replacement 
with serviceable parts. In addition, this AD allows installation of an 
improved design propeller hub as terminating action to the repetitive 
ECI. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
SB described previously.
    There are approximately 7,745 propellers of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 4,576 propellers installed 
on aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, 
that it would take approximately 1 work hour per propeller to 
accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average eddy current 
inspection rate is $150 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators per ECI is 
estimated to be $686,400.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Docket No. 89-ANE-44. Supersedes priority 
letter AD 90-02-03.
    Applicability: Hartzell Propeller Inc ( )HC-( )2Y( )-( ) 
propeller models installed on Piper PA-32() aircraft with Textron 
Lycoming 540 series engines rated at 300 HP or higher and Britten 
Norman BN-2() aircraft with Textron Lycoming 540 series engines, 
both aircraft certificated in any category, and on acrobatic 
category and agricultural category aircraft.
    Please note that the following list is for reference purposes 
only and that this airworthiness action is not limited to the 
following aircraft:

Aermacchi S.p.A. (formerly SIAI-Marchetti) S.205 series aircraft, 
S.208 series aircraft, F.260 series a/c
American Champion (formerly Bellanca, Champion) 8KCAB, 8GCBC
Aviat (licensed by Sky International [formerly White International]) 
(Pitts) S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, S-2B
Britten Norman Islander BN-2 series aircraft Cessna A188A, A188B, 
T188C
Flugzeugwerke Altenrheim AG (FFA) AS202/18A ``BRAVO'', AS202/18A4'' 
BRAVO''
Great Lakes Aircraft Co. 2T-1 series aircraft
Moravan National Corporation Zlin 526L
Piper PA-25-260, PA-32 series aircraft, PA-36-600
SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale (Morane Saulnier) MS893A, MS893E

    This AD is only applicable to Hartzell propellers manufactured 
before December 1991, which do not have a suffix letter ``A'' or 
``B'' at the end of the hub serial number. Propellers with the 
suffix letter ``A'' or ``B'' are exempt from this AD, except for the 
following hubs which were reworked at the Hartzell factory in 1990: 
DN3607A, DN3609A, DN3613A, DN3615A, DN3628A, DN3630A, DN3641A, 
DN3940A, DN3944A, DN3949A, DN3962A.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (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 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include 
an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or 
repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the 
unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include 
specific proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect propeller hub cracks, which can result in an inflight 
separation of propeller blades and damage to the aircraft, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform initial and repetitive eddy current inspections 
(ECI) of the propeller hub fillet radius for cracks in accordance 
with Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61-227, 
dated January 16, 1998, as follows:
    (1) For propellers affected by the applicability requirements of 
AD 90-02-23, perform the initial ECI within 50 hours time in service 
(TIS) since last visual inspection conducted in accordance with AD 
90-02-23. For all other applicable propellers, perform the initial 
ECI within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
    (i) Prior to further flight, remove from service cracked 
propeller hubs and replace with a serviceable part.
    (ii) If no cracks are found, then permanently mark the hub in 
accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc. SB No. HC-SB-61-227, dated 
January 16, 1998.
    (2) Thereafter, perform ECI at intervals not to exceed 150 hours 
TIS since last ECI. Prior to further flight, remove from service 
cracked propeller hubs and replace with a serviceable part.
    (b) A propeller hub from an aircraft that is identified in the 
applicability section of this AD may not be removed and reused on an 
aircraft for which this AD is not applicable.
    (c) Terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements 
of this AD is the replacement of affected hubs with a Hartzell 
propeller hub model with the serial number suffix letter ``A'' or 
``B'', except for the following hubs which were reworked at the 
Hartzell factory in 1990: DN3607A, DN3609A, DN3613A, DN3615A, 
DN3628A, DN3630A, DN3641A, DN3940A, DN3944A, DN3949A, DN3962A. The 
hub replacement must be performed in accordance with Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. SB No. HC-SB-61-227, dated January 16, 1998.
    (d) 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. Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of

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compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be 
obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) 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 inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1999.
Ronald L. Vavruska,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1828 Filed 1-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U