[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32219-32221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14862]



[[Page 32219]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0281; Product Identifier 2018-NE-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG 
Propellers

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 
certain Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG model HO-V 62 propellers. This 
proposed AD was prompted by the failure of the propeller blade lag 
screws. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected 
propeller blades and installation of modified propeller blades marked 
with change letter ``A'' or ``B.'' We are proposing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Hoffmann 
Propeller GmbH & Co. KG, Sales and Service, K[uuml]pferlingstrasse 9, 
83022 Rosenheim, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 8031 1878 0; fax: +49 (0) 8031 
1878 78; email: prop.com">info@hoffmann-prop.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0281; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Maisttison, Aerospace 
Engineer, AIR-7B1, FAA, 1200 District Ave, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7076; fax: 781-238-7151; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0281; 
Product Identifier 2018-NE-06-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because 
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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0220, dated November 10, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    In 1983, occurrences were reported of fatigue failure of 
propeller blade lag screws, at rotation speeds between 2950 and 3250 
revolutions per minute (RPM) in flight.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-
flight propeller blade detachment, possibly resulting in damage to 
the powered sailplane and/or injury to persons on the ground.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Hoffmann issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) 4, providing the necessary instructions. 
Consequently, LBA Germany issued AD 83-150 (later revised), which 
applied only to HO-V 62 propellers with R/L 160T blades, when in 
combination with a Limbach L 2000 engine, to require a limitation of 
continuous operation to 2 900 RPM, to prohibit aerobatic flights, 
calibrate the tachometer, install a placard, and inspection of the 
propeller blades. LBA AD 83-150/4 also required overhaul and 
replacement of the affected propeller blades with modified blades, 
either having 5 lag screws with 12 mm diameter, or 6 screws, and 
required implementing a time between overhaul (TBO) of 600 flight 
hours (FH).
    Since that AD was issued, based on a stress analysis of lag 
screws on blades with continuous operating speed above 2 900 RPM, it 
was determined that the 6-screws configuration or the 5 screws 
configuration with increased strength is necessary to ensure safe 
propeller operation. In addition, since the LBA AD applied only to a 
limited population (Limbach engine only), many propellers have not 
been modified as described in Hoffmann SB 4C. Consequently, Hoffmann 
issued SB E34 Revision B, to provide blade replacement instructions.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0281.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin (SB) 
E34, Rev. B, dated September 18, 2017. The SB describes the 
instructions for the removal and installation of the propeller blades.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Community, 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 the relevant 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition 
previously described is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removal of the affected propeller 
blades and installation of the modified propeller blades marked with 
change letter ``A'' or ``B'' on the blade.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    EASA AD 2017-0220 partially restates the requirements of AD 83-150, 
issued on December 21, 1984, by German aviation authority Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA), which is based on Propellerwerk Hoffmann Rosenheim SB 
4, Revision C, dated February 20, 1984. EASA AD 2017-0220 also adds new 
requirements based on the issuance of

[[Page 32220]]

Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG SB E34, Rev. B dated September 18, 
2017.
    In restating LBA AD 83-150, EASA AD 2017-0220 maintains a 
requirement to remove certain propellers from service within 10 flight 
hours after December 21, 1984, but not later than 31 March 31, 1985. 
Service Bulletin E34 requires a mandatory immediate maximum propeller 
rotational speed limitation until the permanent corrective action is 
completed, within 50 flight hours. The EASA AD 2017-0220 partially 
restated requirements of SB 4. Additionally, Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & 
Co. KG SB E34 Revision B and SB 4 Revision C temporarily prohibit 
acrobatic flight. EASA AD 2017-0220 also adds a new requirement for a 
mandatory maximum propeller rotational speed limitation within 30 days 
until the propeller is replaced within 50 flight hours.
    This proposed AD does not require a propeller speed limitation but 
would require removal of the affected propeller blades and installation 
of modified propeller blades within 30 days of the effective date of 
this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 50 propellers installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace Blades between overhaul.......  3.0 work-hours x $85 per       $3,150.00       $3,405.00      $85,125.00
                                         hour = $255.00.
Replace Blades at overhaul............  0 work-hours x $85 per          3,150.00        3,150.00       78,750.00
                                         hour = $0.00.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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),
    (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, 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

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):

Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG: Docket No. FAA-2018-0281; Product 
Identifier 2018-NE-06-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 27, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG model HO-V 
62 propellers without modified blades marked with change letter 
``A'' or ``B'' suffix to the S/N.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6110, Propeller 
Assembly.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the failure of the propeller blade lag 
screws. We are issuing the AD to prevent failure of the propeller. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the release 
of the propeller blade, damage to the aircraft, injury and/or loss 
of life.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 30 days of the effective date of this AD, remove the 
applicable propeller blades and install modified propeller blades 
marked with a change letter ``A'' or ``B'' suffix to the S/N marked 
on the blade.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a propeller 
blade if it is not marked with a change letter ``A'' or ``B'' suffix 
to the S/N marked on the blade.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards

[[Page 32221]]

District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the Boston ACO Branch, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Maureen 
Maisttison, Aerospace Engineer, AIR-7B1, FAA, 1200 District Ave, 
Massachusetts, 01803; phone: 781-238-7076; fax: 781-238-7151; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2017-0220, dated 
November 10, 2017, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD 
in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0281.
    (3) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG, Sales and Service, 
K[uuml]pferlingstrasse 9, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 
8031 1878 0; fax: +49 (0) 8031 1878 78; email: prop.com">info@hoffmann-prop.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 6, 2018.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14862 Filed 7-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P