[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70185-70187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29676]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-
C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 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 certain Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS 
(Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots that were installed by SOCATA-
Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. 
Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller 
Overshoes. This proposal would require removal of the anti-ice boots, 
rework of the anti-ice boot area of the propeller blades, and 
installation of new anti-ice boots. This proposal is prompted by a 
report of TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots on the blades of 
a model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propeller that were installed by 
SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE using processes that could lead to blade 
corrosion and failure. 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 January 21, 2003.

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-47-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-47-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-47-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

[[Page 70186]]

Discussion

    The FAA received a report of a Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-
C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propeller that was returned to Hartzell Propeller 
Inc. for correction of a service problem. SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, 
the aircraft manufacturer, had installed TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. 
anti-ice boots onto the propeller blades as specified in TKS Ltd. 
Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller 
Overshoes. Procedure P232 calls for the removal of both the paint and 
anodized coating from the blades where the anti-ice boots attach. In 
addition, the process used by SOCATA included the use of scribe lines 
to outline the anti-ice boot area on the blade and the scribe lines 
were not subsequently removed. The removal of paint and anodized 
coating can lead to corrosion of the propeller blade under the boot and 
could result in blade failure. Scribe lines in the blade metal can 
produce a stress riser condition on the blade, and could result in 
blade failure. The FAA has concluded that about 230 other propellers in 
the U.S. might be affected with anti-ice boots installed in this 
fashion. 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. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HC-ASB-61-251, 
dated April 10, 2001, that describes procedures for inspection and 
rework of model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft 
De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots.

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 model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers of 
the same type design with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots 
that were installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft 
manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the 
Attachment of Propeller Overshoes, the proposed AD would require 
inspection and rework of model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with 
TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots installed. The actions 
would be required to be done in accordance with the ASB described 
previously, except using the compliance schedule in the proposed AD.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 750 Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-
C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-
ice boots installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft 
manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the 
Attachment of Propeller Overshoes. The FAA estimates that 230 
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 $900 per propeller. Based on these 
figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $345,000.

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-47-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers 
with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots that were installed 
by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS 
Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller 
Overshoes. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to 
American Champion 8GCBC, Cessna 170 series, 172 series, 175 series, 
Piper PA-18 series, Sky International Inc. (Husky) A-1 (previous 
owners were Christen Industries; Aviat, Inc.; White International, 
LTD.), and SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE TB-20 and TB-21 airplanes.

    Note 1: 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 as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, 
and possible loss of the airplane, do the following:
    (a) For propellers that have been overhauled after the 
installation of TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. Anti-ice boots, and 
have had the anti-ice boots re-installed using Hartzell Manual 133C 
(ATA 61-13-33) ``Aluminum Blade Overhaul'', AS&T Procedure 4700INS, 
or other approved procedures (excluding TKS Procedure P232) no 
further action is required.
    (b) For propellers that have had the anti-ice boots installed 
using the TKS Procedure P232, but have not had anti-ice boots re-
installed using Hartzell Manual 133C (ATA 61-13-33) ``Aluminum Blade 
Overhaul'', AS&T Procedure 4700INS or other approved procedures 
(excluding TKS Procedure P232), remove anti-ice boots, rework anti-
ice boot areas of propeller blades, and install new anti-ice boots 
in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HC-ASB-61-251, 
dated April 10, 2001

[[Page 70187]]

using the compliance schedule in Table 1 as follows:

                      Table 1.--Compliance Schedule
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       For propellers with--               Replace anti-ice boots--
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(1) Fewer than 500 hours time-in-    Within 200 hours TIS from the
 service (TIS) and fewer than 3       effective date of this AD, not to
 years time-since-new (TSN).          exceed 600 hours TSN, or prior to
                                      accumulating 4 years TSN,
                                      whichever occurs first.
------------------------------------
(2) Five hundred or more hours TIS,  Within 100 hours TIS, or 1 year
 or 3 years or more TSN but less      from the effective date of this
 than 6 years TSN.                    AD, whichever occurs first.
------------------------------------
(3) Six years or more TSN..........  Within 50 hours TIS, or within 6
                                      months from the effective date of
                                      this AD, whichever occurs first.
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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. Operators must 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 compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office.

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 November 15, 2002.
Mark C. Fulmer,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29676 Filed 11-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P