[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27281-27282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11480]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 11, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 27281]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-01-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Type R212/4-30-4/22 
and R251/4-30-4/49 Propeller Assemblies

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Reports have been received from a small number of HS.748 
operators of finding cracks in the propeller hub port buttress 
threads of R212 and R251 propellers. The affected hubs had 
accumulated in excess of 6,000 flight hours. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to propeller blade separation, 
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to 
persons on the ground.

We are proposing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure due to cracks 
in the hub, which could result in damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     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 Dowty Propellers, 114 Powers Court, Sterling, VA 20166, 
telephone (703) 421-4434; fax (703) 450-0087, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

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 (phone (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.

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; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NE-01-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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).

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0012, dated January 20, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Reports have been received from a small number of HS.748 
operators of finding cracks in the propeller hub port buttress 
threads of R212 and R251 propellers. The affected hubs had 
accumulated in excess of 6,000 flight hours. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to propeller blade separation, 
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and/or injury to 
persons on the ground.

    The cracks originating from the root of the buttress threads in the 
blade ports, are caused by high-cycle fatigue. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Dowty Propellers has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 61-
1043, Revision 6, dated January 5, 2011. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the 
United Kingdom, and is approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, EASA has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design. This proposed AD would require initial and 
repetitive

[[Page 27282]]

inspections of the buttress threads in the propeller hub ports for 
cracks.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 2 propellers installed on one airplane of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
propeller to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $20,000 per 
propeller. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $40,170.

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 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 this 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

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

Dowty Propellers (formerly Dowty Aerospace; Dowty Rotol Limited; and 
Dowty Rotol): Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; Directorate Identifier 2011-
NE-01-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by June 27, 2011.

Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Dowty Propellers type R212/4-30-4/22 
propeller assemblies with hub and driving center assembly part 
number (P/N) 601022105, 601022211, 601022294, 601021426, 601021858, 
or 601021859 installed, and type R251/4-30-4/49 propeller assemblies 
with hub and driving center assembly P/N 660207202 or P/N 660207203 
installed.

Reason

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure due 
to cracks in the hub, which could result in damage to the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following:
    (1) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 flight hours, inspect 
the buttress threads in the propeller hub and driving center 
assembly, for cracks.
    (2) Use paragraphs 2.A.(1) through 2.A.(4)(a) of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. 61-1043, 
Revision 6, dated January 5, 2011, and NDT Technique NDT 175U 
(Appendix A of Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. 61-1043, 
Revision 6, dated January 5, 2011), to do the inspection.
    (3) If a crack is found, remove the propeller assembly from 
service before further flight.
    (4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install this 
propeller on any airplane unless the propeller hub and driving 
center has passed the inspections required by this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the service information as follows:
    (1) Although the service bulletin tells you to return the 
affected parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that 
action.
    (2) Although the service bulletin tells you to submit 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that 
action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2011-0012, 
dated January 20, 2011, and Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 61-1043, Revision 6, dated January 5, 2011, for related 
information. Contact Dowty Propellers, 114 Powers Court, Sterling, 
VA 20166, telephone (703) 421-4434; fax (703) 450-0087, for a copy 
of this service information.
    (i) Contact Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 28, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11480 Filed 5-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P