[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13294-13296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6914]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-18-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Aerospace Propellers, Models 
R354, R375, R389, and R390 Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a 
new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Dowty Aerospace 
Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-
123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and R390/4-123-F/27 propellers. This 
proposal would require a one-time inspection of the hub joint mating 
surfaces for fretting. This proposal is prompted by reports of fretting 
on the joint mating faces of propeller hubs. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the hub due to loose 
hub through bolts.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-18-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected, 
by appointment, at this location between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: ``[email protected]''. 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line. The service information referenced in the proposed rule 
may be obtained from Dowty Aerospace Propellers, Anson Business Park, 
Cheltenham Road, East Gloucester GL2 9QN, UK; telephone 44 (0) 1452 
716000; fax 44 (0) 1452 716001. This information may be examined, by 
appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7158; fax (781) 238-7199.

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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NE-18-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the

[[Page 13295]]

FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-18-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom (UK), recently notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dowty propellers. The CAA 
advises that it has received a number of reports of fretting damage on 
the joint mating faces of certain Dowty propeller hubs. The CAA 
believes that the cause of the damage is excessive use of joint sealant 
during reassembly of the hub after repair or rework of the hub.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    Dowty Aerospace Propellers has issued service bulletin (SB) SF340-
61-96, dated April 18, 2000, that specifies procedures for inspecting 
certain propeller hubs for loose hub bolts, and if found, inspecting 
the mating faces of the hub joint for wear. The CAA classified this SB 
as mandatory and issued AD 005-04-2000 in order to assure the 
airworthiness of these Dowty propellers in the UK.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    This propeller model is manufactured in the UK and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Proposed Requirements of the AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Dowty Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, 
R354/4-123-F/20, R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and 
R390/4-123-F/27 propellers of the same type design that are used on 
airplanes registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require inspection of hubs that have been disassembled since being 
delivered from Dowty Aerospace Propellers for loose hub through bolts 
within 1,800 flying hours after the effective date of the proposed AD. 
The proposed AD would also require inspection of the mating faces of 
the hub joint for wear if any loose through bolts are found. These 
actions would be required to be done in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 418 propellers of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 169 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The 
FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 6 work hours per 
propeller to do the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. There are no required parts per propeller. Based 
on these figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $60,840.

Regulatory Analysis

    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as 
defined in Executive Order 13132, because it would not have a 
substantial direct effect 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. 
Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to 
publication of this proposed rule.
    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:

Dowty Aerospace Propellers: Docket No. 2000-NE-18-AD.

Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Dowty 
Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, R375/4-123-
F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and R390/4-123-F/27 
propellers. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to, 
SAAB 340A and 340B airplanes.

    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 (b) 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

    Compliance with this AD is required within 1,800 flying hours 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already done.
    To prevent failure of the hub due to loose hub through bolts, do 
the following:

One-time Inspection of the Propeller Hub

    (a) If the propeller hub has not been disassembled since it was 
received from Dowty Aerospace Propellers, no further action is 
required. Otherwise, do the following:
    (1) Within 1,800 flying hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a one-time inspection of the hub for loose hub through 
bolts in accordance with 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(10) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers service 
bulletin (SB) SF340-61-96, dated April 18, 2000.
    (2) If wear exceeds the limits specified in 3.A.(8) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers service 
bulletin (SB) SF340-61-96, dated April 18, 2000, replace the hub 
with a serviceable part.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an

[[Page 13296]]

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Boston ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Boston ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be done.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA airworthiness 
directive 005-04-2000.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 14, 2002.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6914 Filed 3-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U