[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 188 (Friday, September 28, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55120-55122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19194]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA 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 McCauley Propeller Systems model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. This 
proposed AD would require a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection 
(FPI) and eddy current inspection (ECI) of the propeller hub for 
cracks. This proposed AD results from reports of 3 hubs found cracked 
during propeller overhaul. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure 
of the propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the 
airplane, and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by November 27, 
2007.

[[Page 55121]]


ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704; 
telephone (800) 621-7767.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107.

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-2007-29176; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-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://www.dms.dot.gov or http://www.regulations.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. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to http://dms.dot.gov until September 27, 2007, or the 
street address listed under ADDRESSES. The DOT docket may be offline at 
times between September 28 through September 30 to migrate to the 
Federal Docket Management System (FDMS). On October 1, 2007, the 
internet access to the docket will be at http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    The FAA received reports of 3 hubs found cracked during propeller 
overhaul. All 3 hubs had very small cracks located in the hub socket 
region, in the area of the outer bearing race press-fit surfaces. To 
date, the cause of these cracks appears to be fretting damage between 
the outer bearing race and the hub surface. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the propeller hub, which could 
cause blade separation, damage to the airplane, and loss of control of 
the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of McCauley 
Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB254, dated August 
20, 2007. That ASB describes procedures for a onetime FPI and ECI of 
propeller hubs for cracks.

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 
a onetime FPI and ECI of propeller hubs for cracks. The proposed AD 
would require you to use the service information described previously 
to perform these actions.

Interim Action

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 128 propellers 
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 41.5 work-hours per propeller to perform the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $80 per propeller, if the hub passes inspection. 
Required parts would cost about $4,113 per propeller, if the hub fails 
inspection. We estimate that 5% of the hubs will require replacement. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD 
to U.S. operators to be $463,991.

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 AD:
    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. 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:

[[Page 55122]]

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:

McCauley Propeller Systems: Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by November 27, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. These propellers are installed on, but 
not limited to, British Aerospace Jetstream 3201 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of 3 hubs found cracked during 
propeller overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the 
airplane, and 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.
    (f) For propeller hubs with 6,000 or more operating hours time-
since-new (TSN) on the effective date of this AD, perform the 
procedures in paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD within 100 
operating hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (g) For propeller hubs with fewer than 6,000 operating hours TSN 
on the effective date of this AD, perform the procedures in 
paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD before the propeller hub 
reaches 6,100 operating hours TSN.

Onetime Propeller Hub Inspection

    (h) Remove and disassemble the propeller, and etch the propeller 
hub, using paragraphs 1.A. through 2.D. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (i) Perform a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
the propeller hub, using paragraphs 3.A through 3.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert 
Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (j) For hubs that pass the FPI, perform a onetime eddy current 
inspection of the propeller hub, using paragraphs 4.A. through 4.F. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems 
Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (k) Remove cracked hubs from service and any other propeller 
parts found cracked, and return them within 10 days after inspection 
to McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-
7704, for further evaluation.

Previous Credit

    (l) If you performed the onetime inspection of the propeller hub 
using McCauley Propeller Systems Service Bulletin No. SB238A, or 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB254, both dated August 20, 2007, before 
the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the inspection 
requirements of this AD.

Reporting Requirements

    (m) Record the hub inspection results on reporting form, page 8, 
of McCauley Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 
2007. Within 10 days after the inspection, send the completed 
reporting form to McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, 
Wichita, KS 67277-7704, telephone (316) 831-4021; fax (316) 831-
3858.
    (n) Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements contained in this 
AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Interim Action

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

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (p) The Manager, Wichita 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

    (q) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight 
permits for this AD by the following conditions:
    (1) The propeller must have no signs of external oil leakage 
from the hub; and
    (2) The propeller has no current reports of abnormal operation 
or vibration.

Related Information

    (r) None.
    (s) Contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone: 
(316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107, for more information about this 
AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 24, 2007.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-19194 Filed 9-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P