[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12148-12150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5549]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0102; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, 
Inc. Propeller Governors, Part Numbers C210776, T210761, D210760, and 
J210761

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of Ontic Engineering and 
Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors, part numbers (P/Ns) C210776, 
T210761, D210760, and J210761. This proposed AD would require removal 
of the affected propeller governors from service. This proposed AD 
results from three reports received of failed propeller governors. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent loss of propeller pitch control, 
damage to the propeller governor, and internal damage to the engine, 
which could prevent continued safe flight or safe landing.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 14, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the 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.
    Contact Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 Plummer 
Sreet, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail: [email protected]; telephone 
(818) 725-2323; fax (818) 725-2535; or e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (818) 725-2121; fax (818) 725-2535, or on the Web at http://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB-DES-353_Rev_A.pdf for a copy of the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210.

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-2010-0102; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NE-09-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.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. Using the search 
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any 
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
the same as the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    We received three reports of failure of Ontic Engineering and 
Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors. One of the reports was of a 
Diamond DA-40 airplane losing propeller pitch control during flight. 
The propeller governor controls propeller pitch by regulating oil 
pressure to the propeller pitch change mechanism. Changes in governor 
oil pressure are made by small changes in axial displacement of the 
governor's pilot valve plunger assembly. A fly weight governor opposes 
a compressed spring that rides on a collar which forms a part of the 
pilot valve plunger assembly. Investigation revealed that the set screw 
securing the collar to the pilot valve plunger assembly shaft may not 
be installed properly on a batch of parts permitting the pilot valve 
plunger to float on the shaft. The pilot valve shaft plunger and 
captive thrust bearing are then free to move axially along the pilot 
valve shaft. When the pilot valve is unconstrained in the axial 
direction, the propeller governor cannot control oil pressure to the 
propeller pitch control mechanism. This results in a loss of propeller 
pitch control. Further, concurrent thrust bearing failure permits 
bearing debris to flow with the oil into the engine lubrication system. 
The engine in the incident airplane was internally damaged as a result 
of a

[[Page 12149]]

propeller governor bearing ball becoming lodged between the valve 
lifter and engine case. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in loss of propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller governor, 
and internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued safe 
flight or safe landing.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Ontic 
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. SB-DES-353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009. That MSB lists the 
affected propeller governors by P/N and S/N, and describes procedures 
for returning them to the manufacturer for repair.

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 
removal of affected propeller governors from service. The proposed AD 
would require you to use the service information described previously 
to identify the affected S/Ns of propeller governors.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 45 propeller 
governors installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate 
that it would take about four work-hours per airplane to perform the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 
Required repair parts would cost about $842 per propeller governor. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD 
to U.S. operators to be $83,790. Our cost estimate is exclusive of 
possible warranty coverage.

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0102; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-09-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by May 14, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. 
propeller governors, part numbers (P/Ns) C210776, T210761, D210760, 
and J210761, as listed by serial number on pages 3 and 4 of Ontic 
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 
No. SB-DES-353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009.
    (d) These propeller governors are installed on, but not limited 
to, American Champion Aircraft Corporation Model 7GCAA (governor P/N 
T210761), Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc. Model DA-40 (governor P/
N C210776), Hawker Beechcraft Model A36 (governor P/N D210760), and 
Industria Aeronautica Neiva S/A (subsidiary of Embraer) model EMB-
202A (governor P/N J210761) airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from three reports received of failed 
propeller governors. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of 
propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller governor, and 
internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued safe 
flight or safe landing.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 100 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD, unless the actions have already been done.
    (g) Remove affected propeller governors from service.
    (h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an 
affected propeller governor unless it has been inspected, repaired, 
and permanently marked with ``SB-DES-353 Rev. A Date * * *.'' near 
the data plate, by Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.

Related Information

    (j) Contact Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210, 
for more information about this AD.
    (k) Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. MSB No. SB-DES-
353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009, pertains to the subject of 
this AD. Contact Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 
Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (818) 725-2323; fax (818) 725-2535; or e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (818) 725-2121; fax (818) 725-2535, 
or on the Web at http://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB-DES-353_Rev_A.pdf for 
a copy of this service information.


[[Page 12150]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 5, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5549 Filed 3-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P