[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64321-64322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26588]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B3TN-
5( ) 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 Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) propellers, with blades part number 
(P/N) T10176H(B,K)-5 or T10178H(B)-11(R) that are installed on 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, MU-2 series airplanes. This proposal 
would require replacement of those blades with blades of the latest 
design. This proposal is prompted by a report of in-flight propeller 
blade separation that caused a severe out-of-balance condition, damage 
to the airplane, and resulted in engine shutdown and a safe landing. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss 
of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8:00 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 Hartzell Propeller Inc. Technical Publications 
Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-
4200, fax (937) 778-4391. 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: 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 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 2001-NE-44-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 FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of an in-flight blade separation that 
caused a severe out-of-balance condition, damage to the airplane, and 
resulted in engine shutdown and a safe landing, on a Mitsubishi MU-2 
series airplane. Analysis revealed that the blade, made of (hard alloy) 
7076 aluminum alloy, separated due to fatigue failure caused by 
intergranular corrosion. The service difficulty history to date 
indicates that this condition is limited to Hartzell propellers 
installed on Mitsubishi MU-2 series airplanes. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in propeller blade separation, damage to the 
airplane, and possible loss of the airplane.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-250, Revision 1, 
dated April 8, 2002, that describes procedures for replacing (hard 
alloy) 7076 aluminum alloy propeller blades, part number T10176H(B,K)-5 
or T10178H(B)-11(R), with (non-hard alloy) 2025 aluminum alloy blades, 
part number T10176(N)(S)(B,K)-5 or T10178(N)(S)(B)-11(R), respectively. 
Hard alloy blades are identified by the letter ``H'' immediately 
following the blade design number, such as in T10176H.

Differences Between This AD and the Manufacturer's Service Information

    Although Hartzell Propeller Inc. SB HC-SB-61-250, Revision 1, dated 
April 8, 2002, requires propeller blade replacement within 400 flight 
hours or 2 years from the date of the bulletin, whichever occurs first, 
this proposal

[[Page 64322]]

would require propeller blade replacement within 200 flight hours or 1 
year from the effective date of the proposed AD, whichever occurs 
first. The reduction in blade replacement time from the SB has been 
made to prevent blade failure during the compliance period of this AD. 
The times are based on an engineering evaluation of the failure rate of 
hard alloy blades due to intergranular corrosion induced fatigue.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) 
propellers of the same type design, the proposed AD would require 
replacement of propeller blades, part number T10176H(B,K)-5 or 
T10178H(B)-11(R), with propeller blades part number T10176(N)(S)(B,K)-5 
or T10178(N)(S)(B)-11(R), respectively, within 200 flight hours or 1 
year from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. The 
actions would be required to be done in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 250 Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-
5( ) propellers of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 200 propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates that it 
would take approximately 10 work hours per propeller to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $10,000 per propeller. Based on 
these figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,120,000.

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:

Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD.
    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) propellers, with 
T10176H(B)-5, T10176H(K)-5, T10176H-5, T10178H-11, T10178H-11R, 
T10178H(B)-11, and T10178H(B)-11R, blades that are installed on 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, MU-2 series airplanes.

    Note 1: The parentheses indicate the presence or absence of an 
additional letter(s) which vary the basic propeller blade model 
designation. This AD still applies regardless of whether these 
letters are present or absent on the propeller blade model 
designation.


    Note 2: 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 200 
flight hours or 1 year from the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, unless already done.
    To prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, 
and possible loss of the airplane, do the following:
    (a) Remove and replace propeller blades in accordance with 
paragraphs 3.A. through 3.C.(3) of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-250, 
Revision 1, dated April 8, 2002.
    (b) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
propeller blade removed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, 
on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 10, 2002.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26588 Filed 10-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P