[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9508-9509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4484]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD; Amendment 39-13072; AD 2003-04-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B3TN-
5( ) Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts 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 amendment requires replacement of those blades with 
blades of the latest design. This amendment 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 this AD are 
intended to prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, 
and possible loss of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 4, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of April 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional 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.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) propellers, 
with blades P/N T10176H(B,K)-5 or T10178H(B)-11(R) that are installed 
on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, MU-2 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2002, (67 FR 64321). 
That action proposed to require replacement of those blades with blades 
of the latest design in accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc. SB HC-
SB-61-250, Revision 1, dated April 8, 2002. The FAA has received 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, 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter states that the proposed AD should be expanded to 
remove all Hartzell ``hard alloy'' propeller blades from service 
regardless of the type of aircraft they are installed on.
    The FAA does not agree. As stated in the NPRM, the service history 
indicates that the intergranular corrosion condition found on the 
affected Hartzell propellers is limited to Hartzell propellers 
installed on Mitsubishi MU-2 series airplanes. The commenter did not 
provide any new service history to indicate that this condition exists 
on other airplanes with the affected Hartzell propellers. Therefore, 
the AD will not be changed. If in the future, intergranular corrosion 
conditions are reported to the FAA and are occurring on Hartzell 
propellers installed on airplanes other than the Mitsubishi MU-2 series 
airplanes, the FAA will review the need to expand the AD.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

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 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 work 
hours per propeller to perform the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $10,000 per propeller. Based on these figures, the total 
cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $ 2,120,000.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final 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 final rule.
    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 the 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 
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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 9509]]

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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2003-04-23 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-13072. Docket No. 
2001-NE-44-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) propellers, with part 
numbers (P/N's) 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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (e) The blade removal and replacement must be done in accordance 
with Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-250, 
Revision 1, dated April 8, 2002. 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 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Technical Publications Department, One 
Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-4200, fax 
(937) 778-4391. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 4, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 19, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4484 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P