[Federal Register: February 11, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 28)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6815-6816]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11fe03-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 6815]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NE-45-AD; Amendment 39-13049; AD 2003-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc., Model HD-E6C-
3B/E13890K Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that
is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propellers.
This amendment requires the reduction of the original hub certified
service (fatigue) life from unlimited hours to 37,400 flight hours.
This amendment is prompted by a reevaluation by Hartzell Propeller Inc.
of the D-5108-( ) original hub service life certification calculations.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue
failure of D-5108-( ) hubs, which may result in loss of airplane
control.
DATES: Effective March 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Information regarding this action may be examined, by
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018, telephone; (847) 294-
7031, fax; (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is
applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propellers was
published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2002 (67 FR 59483).
That action proposed to require the reduction of the original hub
certified service (fatigue) life from unlimited hours to 37,400 flight
hours. As a result of an in-service occurrence of a cracked hub,
Hartzell Propeller Inc. has reevaluated the service (fatigue) life of
the D-5108-( ) hub installed in the HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propeller.
Hartzell has reduced the original hub certified service (fatigue) life
from unlimited hours to 37,400 flight hours. Exceeding this life limit
could result in fatigue failure of the hub, which may result in loss of
airplane control. The 37,400 flight hour life limit is documented in
the Airworthiness Limitations section of Hartzell Manual 161.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Risk If Life of a Component Is Not Known
One commenter states that the proposal introduces a life limit
where there was none previously required. The commenter also states
that there is a risk that operators or maintenance organizations may
not know the current life of the applicable parts, and that the NPRM
does not include any proposal to estimate usage or factoring where the
life of a component is not known.
The FAA does not agree. Under 14 CFR 121.380 (a)(2)(ii), each
registered certificate holder must keep records of the total time in
service of each propeller. The propellers affected by this AD are flown
on aircraft used in part 121 operations. Moreover, 14 CFR 121.380
mandates that the records must be retained for an unlimited time and
must be transferred with the aircraft. In addition, the Airworthiness
Limitations associated with this propeller have always required
inspections at prescribed intervals which necessitate that the
propeller usage be tracked. Therefore, if a propeller's total time is
unknown, then the propeller and the registered certificate holder are
not in compliance with the regulations. Presently, the FAA will not
pursue policy to approve a general formula for calculating total time
on propellers with unknown total times. Please note that the final rule
allows for the submittal of data to request and to justify an alternate
method of compliance to the AD or an adjustment of the compliance time
in the AD.
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Economic Analysis
There are approximately 250 Hartzell Propeller Inc. HD-E6C-3B/
E13890K propellers of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The
FAA estimates that 140 propellers installed on aircraft of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately
30 work hours per propeller to perform the required actions, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $20,000 per propeller. Based on these figures, the total
cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,052,000.
Regulatory Analysis
This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly,
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication
of this final rule.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
[[Page 6816]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
2003-04-01 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-13049. Docket No.
2000-NE-45-AD.
Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable
to Hartzell Propeller Inc., Model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propellers with
D-5108-( ) hubs installed. These propellers are installed on, but
not limited to, Fairchild Dornier GmbH 328-100 series airplanes.
Note 1: The parentheses indicate the presence or absence of an
additional letter(s) which vary the basic propeller hub model
designation. This AD still applies regardless of whether these
letters are present or absent on the propeller hub model
designation.
Note 2: This AD applies to each propeller identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For propellers that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated,
unless already done.
To prevent fatigue failure of Hartzell D-5108-( ) hubs, which
may result in loss of airplane control, do the following:
(a) Remove from service D-5108-( ) hubs before exceeding 37,400
flight hours and replace with a serviceable hub.
(b) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any D-
5108-( ) hub that has accumulated 37,400 flight hours.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be done.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 18, 2003.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 4, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3309 Filed 2-10-03; 8:45 am]
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