[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 235 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72947-72949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23770]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21691; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Model 14RF-19 
Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Hamilton Sundstrand (formerly Hamilton Standard Division of United 
Technologies Corporation) Model 14RF-19 propellers. This proposed AD 
would require replacing certain actuator yokes with improved actuator 
yokes. This proposed AD results from certain propeller system actuator 
yoke arms breaking during flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
actuator yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high 
propeller vibration, requiring the pilot to feather the propeller, and 
could contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by February 6, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.

[[Page 72948]]

     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.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed 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 comments on this proposed 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 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 send us any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-21691; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-13-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 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.

Discussion

    Hamilton Sundstrand notified us that there have been four 
occurrences of propeller system actuator yoke arms, part number (P/N) 
810436-2, breaking during flight. A high-stress concentration that can 
exist at the intersection of the wear plate face of the forward yoke 
ear and the existing machining cut for the anti-torque and bushing 
caused these breaks. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
high propeller vibration, requiring the pilot to feather the propeller, 
and could contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hamilton 
Sundstrand Service Bulletin 14RF-19-61-113, Revision 1, dated September 
2, 2003, that describes procedures for installing a new propeller 
system actuator yoke arm, P/N 810436-3.

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. We are proposing this AD, which would require 
replacing the actuator yoke arm, P/N 810436-2 on model 14RF-19 
propellers with an improved actuator yoke arm, P/N 810436-3. The 
proposed AD would require you to use the service information described 
previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that 80 actuator yoke arms installed on airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. We also estimate 
that the required parts would cost approximately $1,350 per propeller 
and that it would take about 2 work hours per propeller to perform the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD 
to be $118,400.

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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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

[[Page 72949]]

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:

Hamilton Sundstrand: Docket No. FAA-2005-21691; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NE-13-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 6, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Model 14RF-19 
propellers with propeller system actuator yoke arms, part number (P/
N) 810436-2, which might be installed in actuator assemblies P/N 
790119-6. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to, 
SAAB 340 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from propeller system actuator yoke arms 
breaking during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent actuator 
yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high propeller 
vibration, requiring the pilot to feather the propeller, and could 
contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Install Improved Actuator Yoke Arms

    (f) Using the Accomplishment Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand 
Service Bulletin 14RF-19-61-113, Revision 1, dated September 2, 
2003, replace all actuator yoke arms, P/N 810436-2 with improved 
actuator yoke arms, P/N 810436-3.
    (g) Mark newly installed actuators using the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 14RF-19-61-113, 
Revision 1, dated September 2, 2003.
    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
actuator yoke arms, P/N 810436-2, into any propeller assembly.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Boston 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.

Related Information

    (j) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 2, 2005.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23770 Filed 12-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P