[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59555-59557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26118]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-B5MP-
3C/M10876K Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B5MP-3C/M10876K 
propellers, installed on Short Brothers Model SD3-60 airplanes. That AD 
currently requires initial and repetitive removal, disassembly, 
inspection, and rework if necessary of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model 
HC-B5MP-3C/M10876K propellers until blades are replaced with new design 
blades, no later than March 31, 1988. This proposed AD would require 
installation of new design blades before further flight, on Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. Models HC-B5MP-3C/M10876K propellers. This proposed AD 
is prompted by a review of all currently effective ADs. That review 
determined that AD 87-16-02 was not published in the Federal Register 
to make it effective to all operators, as opposed to just the operators 
who received actual notice of the original AD. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent propeller blade separation near the hub, which could result 
in engine separation from the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 15, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
    [sbull] By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2003-NE-44-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
    [sbull] By fax: (781) 238-7055.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
8110; fax: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-44-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic,

[[Page 59556]]

environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. If a person 
contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a substantive part of 
this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary 
in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing 
date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On July 31, 1987, the FAA issued Priority Letter AD 87-16-02. That 
AD requires initial and repetitive removal, disassembly, inspection, 
and, if necessary, rework of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-B5MP-3C/
M10876K propellers until the existing blades are replaced with new 
design blades. That AD requires replacement of the existing blades with 
new design blades by March 31, 1988. That action was prompted by 
reports of fatigue cracks and corrosion in propeller blades. That 
condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller blade separation 
near the hub, which could result in separation of the engine from the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 87-16-02 Was Issued

    Since that AD was issued, we have reviewed all currently effective 
ADs. We found that Priority Letter AD 87-16-02 was not published in the 
Federal Register to make it effective to all operators, as opposed to 
just the operators who received the original AD. We anticipate that all 
affected propellers have the new design blades installed. However, we 
are issuing this proposed rule to ensure that all affected propellers 
are updated with new design propeller blades.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require installation of new design blades before further flight, 
on Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-B5MP-3C/M10876K propellers.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We anticipate that all affected propellers have complied with 
Priority Letter AD 87-16-02 and have the new design blades installed. 
Therefore, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. 
operators to be $0. However, if replacement of the blades is necessary, 
we estimate that it would take about 25 work hours per propeller to 
perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $4,300 per propeller 
blade. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
proposed AD per propeller would be $23,125.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-NE-44-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness 
directive, to read as follows:

Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Docket No. 2003-NE-44-AD. Supersedes 
Priority Letter AD 87-16-02.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by December 15, 
2003.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes Priority Letter AD 87-16-02.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B5MP-3C/
M10876K propellers. These propellers are installed on, but not 
limited to, Short Brothers Model SD3-60 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted a review of all currently effective ADs. 
That review determined that AD 87-16-02 was not published in the 
Federal Register to make it effective to all operators, as opposed 
to just the operators who received actual notice of the original AD. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller blade separation near 
the hub, which could result in engine separation from the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Required Actions

    (f) Before further flight, replace propeller blades Model 
M10876K with blades Model M10876ASK.
    (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install 
propeller blades Model M10876K on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

[[Page 59557]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

Related Information

    (j) None.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 8, 2003.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26118 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P