[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 98 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29111-29113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11408]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller, Inc., McCauley 
Propeller Systems, and Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company, Inc. 
Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Hartzell Propeller, Inc., McCauley Propeller Systems, and Sensenich 
Propeller Manufacturing Company, Inc. propellers. This proposed AD 
would require maintenance actions amounting to an overhaul of the 
affected propellers. This proposed AD results from the investigation of 
a failed propeller blade and subsequent inspections of various 
propeller models returned to service by Southern California Propeller 
Service, of Inglewood, CA. We are proposing this AD to prevent blade 
failure that could result in separation of a propeller blade and loss 
of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 19, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-NE-53-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected].
    You may examine the AD docket at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

[[Page 29112]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018-4696; telephone (847) 
294-7031, 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-53-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, 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 can 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), between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the location.

Discussion

    We received a report in March of 1998, of a failed Hartzell 
propeller blade, installed on a Piper PA-34-200 airplane. The propeller 
blade fractured and separated at about ten inches from the blade tip, 
causing substantial damage to the airplane. Investigation of the failed 
blade has revealed evidence suggesting that an improper repair 
procedure by welding, or hot straightening of the blade was used. The 
blade only had 200 hours of service accumulated since the propeller was 
last overhauled. The last overhaul was done by Southern California 
Propeller Service, of Inglewood, CA. Subsequent inspections of various 
propeller models returned to service by Southern California Propeller 
Service have revealed other safety critical problems. The inspections 
uncovered the following unsafe conditions:
     Blades found below minimum dimensional limits.
     Blade serial number ground with a grinder which left deep 
gouges and scratches in the blade surface.
     Blade not treated with Alodine after grinding, and paint 
applied over the bare aluminum.
     Improperly drilled actuating pin holes and unapproved use 
of helicoil inserts in the actuating pin holes.
     Corrosion pitting of a blade nut.
     Blade retention clamps rusted and pitted in critical 
areas.
     Bearing races rusted and pitted.
     Hub arms found with corrosion pitting in the blade 
retention radius, and gouged, scratched, and rusted in other critical 
areas.
    Since late in 1998, the FAA has received 43 reports of safety and 
airworthiness problems associated with work performed by Southern 
California Propeller Service, such as:
     Nicks, scratches, and cracks.
     Corrosion and pits.
     Failure of blades to meet minimum dimensions.
     Alodine or paint applied over corrosion.
     Unauthorized use of helicoil inserts.
     Incorrect parts installed.
     Parts installed incorrectly.
     Propellers returned to service after the FAA revoked 
Southern California Propeller Service's repair station certificate on 
June 16, 1998.

We are requiring certain actions in this AD to correct unsafe 
conditions that could result in separation of a propeller blade and 
loss of control of the airplane.

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 propellers 
that Southern California Propeller Service, of Inglewood, CA, returned 
to service. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, to prevent blade 
failure that could result in separation of a propeller blade and loss 
of control of the airplane. This proposal would require maintenance 
actions that amount to an overhaul of Hartzell Propeller, Inc., 
McCauley Propeller Systems, and Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing 
Company, Inc. propellers returned to service by Southern California 
Propeller Service.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that 1,000 propellers installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD and that it would cost 
on average about $3,000 to overhaul each propeller. Based on these 
figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,000,000.

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-53-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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Hartzell Propeller, Inc., McCauley Propeller Systems, and Sensenich 
Propeller Manufacturing Company, Inc. Propellers: Docket No. 2003-
NE-53-AD.

[[Page 29113]]

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 19, 
2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Hartzell Propeller, Inc., McCauley 
Propeller Systems, and Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company, 
Inc. propeller models last returned to service by Southern 
California Propeller Service of Inglewood, CA., listed in the 
following Table 1:

                  Table 1.--Applicable Propeller Models
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Hartzell Propeller, Inc.
  ( )HC-( )(2,3,4)Y( )-( )
  ( )HC-( )(2,3,4)(X,V,MV,W,Z,P,R)(F,G,L,K,R,20,30,31)-( )
  ( )HA-( )-( )
  HC-B(3,4)(M,P,R,T)(A,N,P)-( )
  HC-(D,E)(4,5)(A,B,N,P)-( )
McCauley Propeller Systems
  ( )2( )( )3( )C( )( )( )-( ): All constant speed two-bladed propeller
   models.
  ( )3( )( )3( )C( )( )( )-( ): All constant speed three-bladed
   propeller models.
  1( )( )( )( )/( ): All metal propeller models.
Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company, Inc.
  All metal propeller models.
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    (d) These actions are against propellers returned to service by 
Southern California Propeller Service. Southern California Propeller 
Service is not to be confused with propeller repair stations known 
as California Propeller or as Propeller Service of California. 
Southern California Propeller Service was issued Air Agency 
Certificate number of VXSR617L in 1992, which was revoked in June of 
1998.
    (e) For Hartzell and McCauley propellers listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, any letter or number (or lack of a letter or number) could 
appear where open parentheses are shown in the model number. Model 
numbers could show any combination of letters or numbers where the 
model number shows parentheses with a series of numbers or letters.
    (f) For propellers listed in Table 1 of this AD, that have been 
overhauled since being returned to service by Southern California 
Propeller Service by an authorized repair station other than 
Southern California Propeller Service, no further action is 
required.

Unsafe Condition

    (g) This AD results from the investigation of a failed propeller 
blade and subsequent inspections of various propeller models 
returned to service by Southern California Propeller Service, of 
Inglewood, CA. We are issuing this AD to prevent blade failure that 
could result in separation of a propeller blade and loss of control 
of the airplane.

Compliance

    (h) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD.

Required Actions

    (i) Perform the actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD on 
propellers listed in Table 1 of this AD. You can find information on 
performing the actions in the applicable propeller manufacturer's 
service documentation.
    (j) Perform the following actions:
    (1) Disassemble,
    (2) Clean,
    (3) Inspect for the following:
    (i) Cracks,
    (ii) Corrosion or pits,
    (iii) Nicks,
    (iv) Scratches,
    (v) Blade minimum dimensions,
    (vi) Unapproved localized heating of blade,
    (vii) Unapproved use of helicoil inserts in actuating pin holes,
    (viii) Improperly drilled actuating pin holes,
    (ix) Chemical conversion coat or paint or both applied over 
corrosion,
    (x) Lack of chemical conversion coating,
    (xi) Lack of paint on internal surfaces,
    (xii) Bolts incorrectly torqued,
    (xiii) Incorrect parts,
    (xiv) Incorrect installation of parts,
    (xv) Reinstallation of parts intended for one-time use, and
    (xvi) Lack of proper shot peening.
    (4) Repair and replace with serviceable parts, as necessary,
    (5) Reassemble and test.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (l) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight 
permits for this AD by not allowing any flights with apparent cracks 
in propellers.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) None.

Related Information

    (n) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. NE-01-19, 
dated March 20, 2001, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11408 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P