[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 170 (Thursday, September 2, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53603-53605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18958; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-32-AD; 
Amendment 39-13778; AD 2004-18-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG Models 
HO-V343 and HO-V343K Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG (Hoffmann Propeller) models HO-V343 and 
HO-V343K propellers. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of propeller blades for blade shake and blade nut preload. 
This AD also requires initial and repetitive eddy current inspections 
of blade hubs for damage and cracks. This AD results from a report of a 
blade separating from either a model HO-V343 or HO-V343K propeller. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure and blade 
separation due to an unknown root cause, leading to damage and possible 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective September 17, 2004. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of September 17, 2004.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by November 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can get the service information identified in this AD from 
Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG, K[uuml]pferlingstra[szlig]e 9, D-83022 
Rosenheim, Germany, telephone ++49-(0)8031-1878-0; fax ++49-(0)8031-
1878-78.
    You may examine the comments on this AD in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7158; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the 
aviation authority for Germany, recently notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Hoffmann propeller models HO-V343 and HO-V343K 
propellers. The LBA has notified us of an occurrence of a propeller 
blade separating from the hub. Initial investigation after that blade 
separation revealed that the propeller hub was cracked. The root cause 
of the failure is not known and is still under investigation. A 
propeller blade having blade shake may be evidence of either incorrect 
blade nut preload or a cracked hub or both. Incorrect blade nut preload 
may be evidence of a cracked hub. The actions specified in this AD are 
of precautionary nature. We certificated these propellers for use in 
the U.S. in 1997. We estimate that 12 of these propellers of the same 
type design are installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hoffmann 
Propeller GmbH & Co KG Service Instruction No. 61-10-05 SI E 4B, dated 
July 13, 2004, that describes procedures for initial and repetitive 
visual inspections of propeller blades for blade

[[Page 53604]]

shake and blade nut preload. This service instruction also describes 
procedures for initial and repetitive eddy current inspections of blade 
hubs for damage or cracks. The LBA classified this service instruction 
as mandatory and issued AD D-2004-352R2, dated July 23, 2004, in order 
to ensure the airworthiness of these propellers in Germany.

Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement

    These Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG models HO-V343 and HO-V343K 
propellers are manufactured in Germany and are type certificated for 
operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral airworthiness 
agreement, the LBA kept the FAA informed of the situation described 
above. We have examined the findings of the LBA, reviewed all available 
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG model HO-V343 and HO-
V343K propellers of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent propeller hub failure and blade separation due to an unknown 
root cause, leading to damage and possible loss of control of the 
airplane. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of 
propeller blades for blade shake and blade nut preload. This AD also 
requires initial and repetitive eddy current inspections of blade hubs 
for damage and cracks. You must use the service information described 
previously to perform the actions required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Docket Management System (DMS)

    We have implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, we post new AD actions on the DMS 
and assign a DMS docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding Directorate identifier. The DMS docket No. is in the form 
``Docket No. FAA-200X-XXXXX.'' Each DMS docket also lists the 
Directorate identifier (``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for 
searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2004-18958; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-32-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the DMS Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.
    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 with 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 docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

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 the 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. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA 
amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2004-18-01 Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG: Amendment 39-13778. 
Docket No. FAA-2004-18958; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-32-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 17, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

[[Page 53605]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG (Hoffmann 
Propeller) models HO-V343 and HO-V343K propellers. These propellers 
are installed on, but not limited to, general aviation airplanes 
possibly having an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a blade separating from 
either a model HO-V343 or HO-V343K propeller. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent propeller hub failure and blade separation due to an 
unknown root cause, leading to damage and possible loss of control 
of 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.

Propellers With Hubs Having 1,200 or More Flight Hours-Since-New (FHSN)

    (f) For propellers having hubs with 1,200 or more FHSN, do the 
following:
    (1) Before each flight after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a preflight check for blade shake. Use paragraph 2.2 of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Hoffmann Propeller Service 
Instruction (SI) No. 61-10-05 SI E 4B, dated July 13, 2004, to do 
this check. If you find any blade shake, do the following before 
further flight:
    (i) Record the blade shake, blade nut preload, and final blade 
nut torque of all three blades. Use paragraph 2.2 of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hoffmann Propeller Service Instruction (SI) No. 61-
10-05 SI E 4B, dated July 13, 2004, to do these recordings and 
checks.
    (ii) Remove propeller blades from the hub. Information on blade 
removal can be found in Hoffmann Propeller Overhaul Manual No. 
(E)661.
    (iii) Perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the propeller 
hub for damage and cracks. Use paragraphs 2.3 through 2.4 of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Hoffmann Propeller SI No. 61-10-05 SI 
E 4B, dated July 13, 2004, to do the ECI.
    (iv) If the propeller hub has damage or cracks, remove the 
propeller hub from service before further flight.
    (2) Perform repetitive checks and inspections as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iv) of this AD within intervals 
of 100 flight hours-since-last-inspection.

Propellers With Hubs Having Fewer Than 1,200 FHSN

    (g) For propellers with hubs having fewer than 1,200 FHSN, do 
the following:
    (1) Before each flight after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a preflight check for blade shake, as specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD. If blade shake is found, perform the follow-up 
actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iv) of this 
AD.
    (2) Perform an ECI of the propeller hub for damage and cracks 
before exceeding 1,200 FHSN. Use paragraphs 2.3 through 2.4 of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Hoffmann Propeller SI No. 61-10-05 SI 
E 4B, dated July 13, 2004, to do the ECI.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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) You must use Hoffmann Propeller Service Instruction No. 61-
10-05 SI E 4B, dated July 13, 2004, to perform the checks and 
inspections required by this AD. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You 
can get a copy from Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co KG, 
K[uuml]pferlingstra[szlig]e 9, D-83022 Rosenheim, Germany, telephone 
++49-(0)8031-1878-0; fax ++49-(0)8031-1878-78; or at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Related Information

    (j) LBA airworthiness directive D-2004-352R2, dated July 23, 
2004, which holds EASA Approval No. 2004-7836, also addresses the 
subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 23, 2004.
Robert E. Guyotte,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-19829 Filed 9-1-04; 8:45 am]
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