[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17359-17361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20856; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH 
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 certain MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH variable pitch and fixed 
pitch propellers with serial numbers (SNs) below 95000, which have not 
been overhauled since April 1994. This proposed AD would require you to 
perform initial and repetitive visual inspections of those propeller 
blades. Further, this proposed AD would require you to remove all 
propeller blades from service with damaged erosion sheath bonding or 
loose erosion sheaths and to install any missing or damaged 
polyurethane protective strips. This proposed AD results from reports 
of stainless steel leading edge erosion sheaths separating from 
propeller blades and reports of propeller blades missing or without 
polyurethane protective strips due to insufficient inspection 
procedures in older MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH Operation & 
Installation Manuals. We are proposing this AD to prevent erosion 
sheath separation leading to damage of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 6, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment 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 20590-0001.
     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.
    Contact MT-Propeller USA, Inc., 1180 Airport Terminal Drive, 
Deland, FL 32724; telephone (386) 736-7762, fax (386) 736-7696 or visit 
http://www.mt-propeller.com for the service information identified in 
this proposed AD.

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:

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 ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20856; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-25-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    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 proposed 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, 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 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.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the aviation authority for 
Germany, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain MT-
Propeller Entwicklung GmbH variable pitch and fixed pitch propellers. 
The LBA advises of reports of stainless steel leading edge erosion 
sheaths separating from propeller blades and reports of propeller 
blades with damaged or missing polyurethane protective strips (PU-
protection tape) due to insufficient inspection procedures in older MT-
Propeller Entwicklung GmbH Operation & Installation Manuals.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of MT-
Propeller Service Bulletin (SB) No. 8A, dated July 4, 2003, which 
describes the visual

[[Page 17360]]

inspections, removals, and installations proposed by this AD. The LBA 
classified this SB as mandatory and issued airworthiness directive 
1994-098-2, dated September 24, 2003, in order to ensure the 
airworthiness of these MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH propellers in 
Germany.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These propeller models, manufactured in Germany, 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. In keeping with this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the LBA's findings, 
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. We are proposing this AD, which would 
require you to:
     Visually inspect certain MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH 
variable pitch and fixed pitch propellers with SNs below 95000.
     Remove from service, certain MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH 
variable pitch and fixed pitch propellers with SNs below 95000 if the 
propeller blades have damaged erosion sheath bonding or loose erosion 
sheaths.
     Install polyurethane protective strips onto propeller 
blades that are missing these strips or have damaged strips.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that 103 of these MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH 
variable pitch and fixed pitch propellers installed on aircraft of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate that 
it would take about 2 work hours to inspect and install the 
polyurethane protective strip of each affected propeller and 4 work 
hours to remove each affected propeller, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts to inspect and install the 
polyurethane protective strip of each affected propeller would cost 
about $20. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $15,780.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    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 (AD):

MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2005-20856; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-25-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by June 6, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH, models MT, 
MTV-1, MTV-2, MTV-3, MTV-5, MTV-6, MTV-7, MTV-9, MTV-10, MTV-11, 
MTV-12, MTV-14, MTV-15, MTV-17, MTV-18, MTV-20, MTV-21, MTV-22, MTV-
24, and MTV-25 propellers with serial numbers (SNs) below 95000, 
which have not been overhauled since April 1994. These propellers 
may be installed on but not limited to, Sukhoi SU-26, SU-29, SU-31; 
Yakovlev YAK-52, YAK-54, YAK-55; and Technoavia SM-92 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of stainless steel leading edge 
erosion sheaths separating from propeller blades and reports of 
propeller blades with damaged or missing polyurethane protective 
strips (PU-protection tape) due to insufficient inspection 
procedures in older MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH Operation & 
Installation Manuals. We are issuing this AD to prevent erosion 
sheath separation leading to damage 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.

    Note 1: Information about inspection procedures and acceptable 
limits can be found in Table 1 of this AD.

Initial Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade

    (f) During the next preflight inspection or 100-hour inspection, 
whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
all MT and MTV propellers listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, by 
doing the following:
    (1) Determine if the erosion sheath of any propeller blade is 
cracked or loose; and
    (2) Determine if any propeller blade has other damage out of 
acceptable limits.
    (3) Before the next flight, remove from service those propeller 
blades with a cracked or loose erosion sheath, or other damage 
affecting airworthiness.

[[Page 17361]]



                      Table 1.--Service Information
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                                          See operation and installation
        For propeller model . . .                  manual . . .
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(1) MT..................................  No. E-112, issued Nov. 1993 or
                                           later.
(2) MTV-1, MTV-7, MTV-10, MTV-17, MTV-    No. E-118, issued March 1994
 18, MTV-20.                               or later.
(3) MTV-5, MTV-6, MTV-9, MTV-11, MTV-12,  No. E-124, issued March 1994
 MTV-14, MTV-15, No. MTV-21, MTV-22, MTV-  or later.
 25.
(4) MTV-2, MTV-3........................  No. E-148, issued March 1994
                                           or later.
(5) MTV-24..............................  No. E-309, issued March 1994
                                           or later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initial Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade Polyurethane Strip

    (g) During the next pilot's preflight inspection after the 
effective date of this AD, if the polyurethane protective strip on 
the leading edge of the inner portion of the blade is found to be 
damaged or missing, the polyurethane protective strip must be 
replaced or installed within 10-flight hours. If electrical de-icing 
boots are installed, no polyurethane protective strips are required.

Repetitive Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade

    (h) If after the effective date of this AD, any propeller blade 
erosion sheath found to be cracked or loose during the pilot's 
preflight inspection, or 100-hour inspection, or annual inspection, 
must be repaired, replaced, or overhauled before the next flight.

Repetitive Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade Polyurethane Strip

    (i) If after the effective date of this AD, any propeller blade 
polyurethane protective strip found to be damaged or missing during 
the pilot's preflight inspection, or 100-hour inspection, or annual 
inspection, must be replaced or installed within 10-flight hours. If 
electrical de-icing boots are installed, polyurethane protective 
strips are not required.

Overhaul of Blades

    (j) Overhaul all affected blades by December 31, 2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (l) Special flight permits are prohibited.

Related Information

    (m) MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH, Service Bulletin No. 8A, 
dated July 4, 2003, pertains to the subject of this AD. LBA 
airworthiness directive 1994-098/2, dated September 24, 2003, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 29, 2005.
Diane Cook,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6777 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P