[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32855-32857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13145]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NE-48-AD; Amendment 39-13669; AD 2004-12-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 
(Formerly Hamilton Standard Division) Model 568F Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain serial-numbered propeller blades installed in Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation (formerly Hamilton Standard Division) 568F 
propellers. This AD requires replacement of propeller blades, part 
numbers (P/Ns) R815505-3 and R815505-4 that have a serial number (SN) 
of FR1699 to FR20021010, with serviceable blades. This AD results from 
reports of these composite propeller blades found at inspection, with 
random areas of

[[Page 32856]]

missing adhesive under the compression wrap, which exposed the steel 
tulip part of the blade. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller 
blade failure due to corrosion-induced fatigue, which could result in 
blade separation and possible loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from Hamilton Sundstrand, A United Technologies Company, Publications 
Manager, Mail Stop 2AM-EE50, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 
06096.
    You may examine the AD docket, at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7158; fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies 
to certain serial-numbered propeller blades installed in Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation (formerly Hamilton Standard Division) 568F 
propellers. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on 
December 2, 2003 (68 FR 67385). That action proposed to require 
replacement of propeller blades, P/Ns R815505-3 and R815505-4 that have 
a SN of FR1699 to FR20021010, with serviceable blades.

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.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.
    One commenter requests that the Cost of Compliance statement be 
clarified to indicate that the blade removal cost is for AD compliance 
only. The commenter has concerns regarding potential liabilities for 
the worldwide fleet if the AD does not distinguish between the removals 
for normally scheduled maintenance and unscheduled removals for AD 
compliance.
    The FAA agrees in part. We have clarified the Cost of Compliance 
statement in the AD to reflect removals for this AD. We do not agree 
with including worldwide costs in this AD because worldwide costs are 
not within the scope of the FAA authority.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that 24 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 568F propellers 
with suspect blades installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this AD. We estimate it will take about 4 work hours per 
propeller to remove and replace suspect blades, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the total labor cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $6,240.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD 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-48-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-12-10 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (formerly Hamilton 
Standard Division): Amendment 39-13669. Docket No. 2003-NE-48-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 19, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (formerly 
Hamilton Standard Division) 568F propellers with propeller blades, 
part numbers (P/Ns) R815505-3 and R815505-4, serial numbers (SNs) 
FR1699 through FR2625 inclusive (877 blades), and SNs FR20010610 
through FR20021010 inclusive (713 blades), installed. These 
composite propeller blades are installed on, but not limited to, 
Aerospatiale ATR42-400, ATR42-500, ATR72-212, and ATR72-500 
airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of propeller blades found at 
inspection, with random areas of missing adhesive under the 
compression wrap, which exposed the steel tulip part of the blade. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller blade failure due to 
corrosion-induced fatigue, which could result in blade separation 
and possible loss of airplane control.

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.

Removal From Service of Affected Propeller Blades

    (f) Remove propeller blades, P/Ns R815505-3 and R815505-4 from 
service as follows:
    (1) Blades listed by SN in the following Table 1 of this AD must 
be removed no later than the date listed in Table 1 of this AD. See 
Table 2 of this AD for blade SNs that are excluded from the 
compliance times specified in Table 1 of this AD.
    (2) Remove the blades that are listed by SN in Table 2 of this 
AD no later than December 31, 2007.
    (3) In some instances, an ``RT'' reference immediately follows 
the numeric portion of the serial number on the blade. For purposes 
of this AD, the ``RT'' reference has been

[[Page 32857]]

omitted when specifying affected serial numbers.

               Table 1.--Propeller Blade Removal Schedule
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                                            Remove propeller blades from
         For propeller blades SNs:          service for rework, no later
                                                        than:
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FR1699 through FR1765.....................  December 31, 2003.
FR1766 through FR1776.....................  March 31, 2004.
FR1777 through FR1855.....................  June 30, 2004.
FR1856 through FR1956.....................  September 30, 2004.
FR1957 through FR2132.....................  December 31, 2004.
FR2133 through FR2230.....................  March 31, 2005.
FR2231 through FR2315.....................  June 30, 2005.
FR2316 through FR2390.....................  September 30, 2005.
FR2391 through FR2433.....................  December 31, 2005.
FR2434 through FR2553.....................  March 31, 2006.
FR2554 through FR2625.....................  June 30, 2006.
FR20010610 through FR20010729.............  June 30, 2006
FR20010730 through FR20011018.............  September 30, 2006.
FR20011019 through FR20011218.............  December 31, 2006.
FR20011219 through FR20020511.............  March 31, 2007.
FR20020512 through FR20020757.............  June 30, 2007.
FR20020758 through FR20020842.............  September 30, 2007.
FR20020843 through FR20021010.............  December 31, 2007.
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                                    Table 2.--Blade SNs Excluded From Table 1
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FR1720                   FR1887                  FR1962                  FR2163
FR1740                   FR1888                  FR1963                  FR2164
FR1742                   FR1889                  FR2013                  FR2165
FR1752                   FR1892                  FR2022                  FR2166
FR1777                   FR1893                  FR2032                  FR2167
FR1791                   FR1927                  FR2037                  FR2168
FR1796                   FR1928                  FR2038                  FR2173
FR1841                   FR1929                  FR2039                  FR2177
FR1843                   FR1930                  FR2047                  FR2179
FR1858                   FR1931                  FR2058                  FR2180
FR1860                   FR1932                  FR2059                  FR2183
FR1865                   FR1933                  FR2060                  FR2204
FR1869                   FR1934                  FR2063                  FR2205
FR1871                   FR1935                  FR2064                  FR2206
FR1872                   FR1936                  FR2067                  FR2207
FR1873                   FR1937                  FR2068                  FR2208
FR1874                   FR1938                  FR2099                  FR2233
FR1875                   FR1942                  FR2108                  FR2234
FR1877                   FR1943                  FR2134                  FR2467
FR1878                   FR1957                  FR2135                  FR20010626
FR1879                   FR1960                  FR2136                  FR20010936
FR1880                   FR1961                  FR2137                  FR20011218
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Installation of Propeller Blades that have a SN Listed in Table 1 or 
Table 2 of this AD

    (g) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
blade that has P/N R815505-3 or R815505-4 and SN listed in Table 1 
or Table 2 of this AD, and that has exceeded the date for 
replacement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Boston 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

Related Information

    (j) Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin No. 568F-61-A45, 
Revision 1, dated October 7, 2003, provides information to rework 
and remark the affected blades for return to service.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 1, 2004.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13145 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
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