[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49660-49662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19649]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0262; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-13-AD; 
Amendment 39-17548; AD 2013-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Standard Division and Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 49661]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Hamilton Standard Division model 6/5500/F and 24PF and Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation model 14RF, 14SF, 247F, and 568F series 
propellers. This AD was prompted by the amount of corrosion detected 
during major inspections (MI). This AD requires incorporating 
inspections, based on a calendar time, into the propeller maintenance 
schedule. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion that could result 
in propeller failure and loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD is effective September 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation, One Hamilton Road, Mail Stop 1A-3-C63, Windsor 
Locks, CT 06096-1010; or Hamilton Standard Division, One Hamilton Road, 
United Technologies Corporation, Mail Stop 1A-3-C63, Windsor Locks, CT 
06096-1010; phone: 877-808-7575; fax: 860-660-0372; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://myhs.hamiltonsundstrand.com. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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 street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 23, 2013 (78 FR 
30795). The NPRM proposed to require incorporating inspections, based 
on a calendar time, into the propeller maintenance schedule.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 30795, May 23, 
2013) 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 this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 30795, May 23, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 30795, May 23, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects about 1,044 propeller/hub 
combinations installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate 
that it will take about 160 hours per propeller to perform one MI. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $14,198,400.

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

    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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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):

2013-16-10 Hamilton Standard Division and Hamilton Sundstrand 
Corporation: Amendment 39-17548; Docket No. FAA-2013-0262; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 19, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hamilton Standard Division 6/5500/F and 24PF 
and Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 14RF, 14SF, 247F, and 568F 
series propellers.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the amount of corrosion detected during 
major inspections

[[Page 49662]]

(MI). We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion that could result 
in propeller failure and loss of airplane control.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) MI for Blades and Hubs That Have an Updated Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS)

    For Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation propeller models 14RF-9, 
14RF-21, 14SF-5, 14SF-7, 14SF-11E, and 568F-1, that have an approved 
update to the ALS, within 45 days after the effective date of this 
AD, perform an MI on the blades and hubs no later than seven years 
after the date since installation (DSI). The DSI will begin at 
initial installation after the most recent MI or initial 
installation after production. Guidance on the inspections can be 
found in the applicable Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation models/
manuals 14RF-9/P5186, revision 12, January 20, 2012; 14RF-21/P5189, 
revision 8, February 20, 2013; 14SF-5/P5188, revision 10, dated 
January 14, 2013; 14SF-7/P5185, revision 13, dated December 13, 
2011; 14SF-11E/P5207, revision 2, dated June 28, 2012; and 568F-1/
P5206, revision 9, dated February 22, 2013.

(g) MI for Blades and Hubs That Do Not Have an Updated ALS

    For Hamilton Standard Division propeller models 6/5500/F and 
24PF and Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation propeller models 14RF-19, 
14RF-37, 14SF-11, 14SF-15, 14SF-23, 14SF-17, 14SF-19, 247F-1, 247F-
1E, 247F-3, 568F-1, 568F-5, and 568F-7, that do not have an approved 
update to the ALS, within one year after the effective date of this 
AD, perform an MI on the blades and hubs no later than seven years 
after the DSI. The DSI will begin at initial installation after the 
most recent MI or initial installation after production. Guidance on 
the inspections can be found in the applicable Hamilton Standard 
Division models/manuals 6/5500/F/P5190 and 24PF/61-12-01, and 
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation models/manuals 14RF-19/P5199, 14RF-
37/P5209, 14SF-11/P5196, 14SF-15/P5197, 14SF-23/P5197, 14SF-17/
P5198, 14SF-19/P5198, 247F-1/P4202, 247F-1E/P5204, 247F-3/P5205, 
568F-1/P5214, 568F-5/P5203, and 568F-7/P5211.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-
7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email: [email protected].
    (2) Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation models/manuals 14RF-9/P5186, 
revision 12, January 20, 2012; 14RF-21/P5189, revision 8, February 
20, 2013; 14SF-5/P5188, revision 10, dated January 14, 2013; 14SF-7/
P5185, revision 13, dated December 13, 2011; 14SF-11E/P5207, 
revision 2, dated June 28, 2012; and 568F-1/P5206, revision 9, dated 
February 22, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference in this 
AD, can be obtained from Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, using the 
contact information in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD.
    (3) For service information identified in the AD, contact 
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, One Hamilton Road, Mail Stop 1A-3-
C63, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; or Hamilton Standard Division, 
United Technologies Corporation, One Hamilton Road, Mail Stop 1A-3-
C63, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; phone: 877-808-7575; fax: 860-
660-0372; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://myhs.hamiltonsundstrand.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 2, 2013.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Assistant Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19649 Filed 8-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P