[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7101-7102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2758]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD; 
Amendment 39-16602; AD 2011-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers Model 
247F Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires removing affected propeller 
blades from service. This AD was prompted by reports of blades with 
corrosion pits in the tulip area of the blades. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent cracks from developing in the tulip area of the blade, which 
could result in separation of the blade and possible loss of airplane 
control.

DATES: This AD is effective March 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-7170; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified 
products. That SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 8, 
2010 (75 FR 62333). That SNPRM proposed to require removing affected 
propeller blades from service.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor changes to the compliance date for certain serial number (S/N) 
propeller blades. The SNPRM proposed to require removing propeller 
blades part number (P/N) 817370-1, S/Ns FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive, 
FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT 
inclusive, before December 31, 2010. We determined that those S/N 
propeller blades should be removed within the same compliance time as 
propeller blades P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2018, FR2103, FR2108, FR2109, 
FR2111, FR2123, FR2183, FR2187, FR2262, FR2276 through FR2279 
inclusive, and FR2398. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 10 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 16 
work-hours per propeller to perform the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$50 per propeller. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost 
of this AD to U.S. operators to be $14,100.

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.

[[Page 7102]]

    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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 (AD):

2011-04-02 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Amendment 39-16602; 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective March 16, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand model 247F series 
propellers with blades part number (P/N) 817370-1, serial numbers 
(S/Ns) FR2018, FR2103, FR2108, FR2109, FR2111, FR2123, FR2183, 
FR2187, FR2262, FR2276 through FR2279 inclusive, FR 2398, FR2449 to 
FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and 
FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive, installed. These propellers 
are installed on, but not limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
Regional ATR72-210 and ATR72-210E airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of blades with corrosion pits 
in the tulip area of the blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
cracks from developing in the tulip area of the blade, which could 
result in separation of the blade and possible loss of airplane 
control.

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.

Removing Blades P/N 817370-1

    (f) Remove from service, blades P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2018, 
FR2103, FR2108, FR2109, FR2111, FR2123, FR2183, FR2187, FR2262, 
FR2276 through FR2279, FR2398, FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive, 
FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT 
inclusive, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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.

Related Information

    (h) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-7170; 
e-mail: [email protected].

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 31, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2758 Filed 2-8-11; 8:45 am]
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