[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11151-11153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1957]


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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; 
Amendment 39-14502; AD 2006-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH 
Propellers

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD requires overhauling the propeller 
blades of these propellers within 30 days after the effective date of 
the AD. This AD also requires performing initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of affected propeller blades. This AD also requires 
removing all propeller blades from service with damaged erosion sheath 
bonding or loose erosion sheaths and installing any missing or damaged 
polyurethane protective strips. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from 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.
    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC.

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 AD. The proposed AD applies to 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. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on April 6, 
2005 (70 FR 17359). That action proposed to require overhaul of the 
propeller blades on these propellers by December 31, 2005. That action 
also proposed to require performing initial and repetitive visual 
inspections of those propeller blades. That action also proposed to 
require removing all propeller blades from service with damaged erosion 
sheath bonding or loose erosion sheaths and to install any missing or 
damaged polyurethane protective strips.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Office 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.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

[[Page 11152]]

Changes to Blade Overhaul Paragraph

    Although paragraph (j) of the proposed AD states to overhaul all 
affected blades by December 31, 2005, for clarification, we changed 
that paragraph in this AD to read ``Overhaul all propeller blades of 
propellers listed in the applicability, within 30 days after the 
effective date of the AD''. We also changed the codification and moved 
this paragraph to paragraph (f).

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously.

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 will be affected by this AD. We also estimate that it will 
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 will cost about $20. We 
estimate that 10% (20) of the propellers will require blade overhaul, 
at an average cost of $1,500 per propeller. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $45,780.

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 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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

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:

2006-05-05 MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH: Amendment 39-14502. Docket 
No. FAA-2005-20856; Directorate Identifier. 2004-NE-25-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
10, 2006.

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.

Overhaul of Propeller Blades

    (f) Overhaul all propeller blades of propellers listed in the 
applicability, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Initial Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade

    (g) 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 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.

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

    (h) 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.

[[Page 11153]]

If electrical de-icing boots are installed, no polyurethane 
protective strips are required.

Repetitive Visual Inspection of the Propeller Blade

    (i) 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

    (j) 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.

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 February 24, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1957 Filed 3-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P