[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61480-61482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19085]


 ========================================================================
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 61480]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; Project Identifier AD-2023-00510-P]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 
Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Hamilton Sundstrand) Model 
14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23 propellers. This proposed AD was prompted 
by a report of an auxiliary motor and pump failing to feather a 
propeller in flight. This proposed AD would require replacement of a 
certain auxiliary motor and pump. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installation of a certain auxiliary motor and pump on any propeller. 
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 23, 
2023.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; 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, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Hamilton Sundstrand, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010, 
phone: (877) 808-7575; email: [email protected].
     You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
(781) 238-7649; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-00510-P'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA received a report of an auxiliary motor and pump installed 
on a non-Hamilton Sundstrand propeller failing to feather the propeller 
in flight through either the primary or the backup means. The failure 
was caused by motor magnets in the auxiliary motor and pump that were 
de-bonded due to corrosion at the magnet and housing interface. The de-
bonded motor magnets prevented motor rotation. Hamilton Sundstrand 
Model 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23 propellers use the same auxiliary 
motor and pump. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to, 
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate previously 
held by Bombardier Inc.) Model DHC-8-100 series, DHC-8-200 series, and 
DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in reduced controllability of the aircraft and consequent loss 
of control of the aircraft.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

[[Page 61481]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin (SB) 14SF-61-
168, Revision 1, dated December 21, 2016. This service information 
specifies instructions for replacing the auxiliary motor and pump. 
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation is a UTC Aerospace Systems Company. 
This service information is identified as both Hamilton Sundstrand 
Corporation and UTC Aerospace Systems. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require the removal from service of an 
auxiliary motor and pump having part number (P/N) 782655-3 
(Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) and replacement with an auxiliary motor 
and pump having P/N 782655-4 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-056000). This 
proposed AD would also prohibit installation of an auxiliary motor and 
pump having P/N 782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) on any 
propeller.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Where the service information specifies returning certain parts to 
Hamilton Sundstrand, this proposed AD does not contain that 
requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 180 propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates 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 auxiliary motor and pump......  2 work-hours x $85 per           $11,000         $11,170      $2,010,600
                                         hour = $170.
Perform post-installation system test.  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85          15,300
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; Project 
Identifier AD-2023-00510-P.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by October 23, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Hamilton 
Sundstrand) Model 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23 propellers.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c): These propellers are known to be 
installed on, but not limited to, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited (Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc.) Model 
DHC-8-100 series, DHC-8-200 series, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6123, Propeller 
Feathering/Reversing.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an auxiliary motor and pump 
failing to feather a propeller in flight. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent the failure of a certain auxiliary motor and pump to 
feather propellers. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in reduced controllability of the aircraft and consequent 
loss of control of the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
from service an auxiliary motor and pump having part number (P/N) 
782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) and replace with an 
auxiliary motor and pump having P/N 782655-4 (Aerocontrolex P/N 
4122-056000) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.B., 3.C., and 3.E. of Hamilton Sundstrand Service 
Bulletin (SB) 14SF-61-168, Revision 1, dated December 21, 2016 
(Hamilton Sundstrand SB 14SF-61-168, Revision 1).
    (2) After replacement of the auxiliary motor and pump, perform a 
post-installation system test in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.F. of Hamilton Sundstrand SB 14SF-61-168, 
Revision 1.

[[Page 61482]]

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an auxiliary 
motor and pump having P/N 782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) 
on any propeller.

(i) No Return of Parts

    Where the service information referenced in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B. of Hamilton Sundstrand SB 14SF-61-168, 
Revision 1, specifies returning certain parts to the manufacturer 
for modification, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Hamilton Sundstrand SB 14SF-61-168, Original Issue, 
dated December 14, 2016.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, East Certification 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 District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the branch office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Isabel Saltzman, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (781) 238-7649; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Service Bulletin 14SF-61-
168, Revision 1, dated December 21, 2016.
    Note 2 to paragraph (m)(2)(i): Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 
is a UTC Aerospace Systems Company. This service information is 
identified as both Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation and UTC Aerospace 
Systems.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hamilton Sundstrand, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-
1010, phone: (877) 808-7575; email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 30, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19085 Filed 9-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P