[Federal Register: November 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 229)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67564-67566]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29no07-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28656; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD;
Amendment 39-15280; AD 2007-24-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3(
), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-
5( ) propellers. This AD requires a onetime eddy current inspection of
the propeller hub mounting bolt holes and replacement of the propeller
hub if cracked. This AD results from the discovery of a five-bladed
propeller hub with a large crack on the mounting flange of the hub. We
are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade separation,
damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 14, 2007. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the regulations as of December 14, 2007.
We must receive any comments on this AD by January 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, 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.
[[Page 67565]]
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Contact Hartzell Propeller Inc., Technical Publications Department,
One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-4200; fax
(937) 778-4391, for the service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300
East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; e-mail:
timothy.smyth@faa.gov; telephone (847) 294-7132; fax (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recently, a Piaggio P-180 airplane
experienced a significant vibration in flight, from one of the
propellers. The Hartzell model HC-E5N-3( )(L) propeller assembly was
removed and examined. Inspection of the propeller assembly revealed a
significant crack in the propeller hub. Although the exact cause of the
crack is unknown, a major factor appears to be a pre-existing defect in
one of the propeller mounting bolt holes. This defect may cause a crack
to grow to catastrophic failure. Operating the propeller in an rpm
range restricted by the airplane operating limitations may accelerate
the hub crack. Acceleration of the propeller hub crack may also be due
to operation beyond the airplane's operating limitations when in ground
idle without the propellers feathered, or used in maximum reverse. We
determined that the hubs at risk are in two populations. The first
population is those hubs with unknown hours, or with between 1,800 and
4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS). The second population is all other
hubs with fewer than 1,800 or more than 4,500 hours TIS. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller hub cracks,
blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane
control.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hartzell
Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61-295, Revision 2,
dated August 1, 2007, that describes procedures for a onetime eddy
current inspection of the propeller hub mounting bolt holes and
replacement of the propeller hub if cracked.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3(
)(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) propellers of the same type design. For that
reason, we are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade
separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane
control. You must use the service information described previously to
perform the actions required by this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to send us any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2007-28656;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify it.
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 AD. Using the search function of the
Federal Docket Management System Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets, including 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).
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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (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.
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 have determined that 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 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the
address listed under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Under 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:
[[Page 67566]]
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:
2007-24-14 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-15280. Docket No.
FAA-2007-28656; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December
14, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-E5N-3(
), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) propellers. Hartzell Propeller
Inc. model HC-E5N-3( )and HC-E5N-3( )(L) propellers are installed
on, but not limited to, Piaggio P-180 Avanti airplanes with
propeller serial numbers (SNs) up to and including HF229 or KU92,
except those SNs listed in the following Table 1. Hartzell Propeller
Inc. HC-E5B( ) propellers are installed on Grumman S-2 Tracker
airplanes with propeller SNs up to and including HN14.
Table 1.--Propeller SNs Not Affected by This AD
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HC-E5N-3( )L:
HF4, HF5, HF6, HF7, HF18, HF20, HF26, HF28, HF30, HF34, HF45, HF50,
HF52, HF74, HF76, HF87, HF93, HF94, HF97, HF101, HF109, HF121, HF122,
HF126, HF130, HF133, HF135, HF137, HF140, HF147, HF149, HF152, HF153,
HF156, HF158, HF164, HF165, HF179, HF183, HF184, HF188, HF190, HF195,
HF205, HF213, HF215, HF225, HF226, HF230, HF231, HF232, HF233, HF234,
HF235.
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HC-E5N-3( ):
KU1, KU3, KU14, KU15, KU16, KU19, KU34, KU41, KU45, KU51, KU57, KU69,
KU74, KU79, KU84, KU86, KU87, KU89, KU93, KU94, KU95, KU96, KU103.
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HC-E5B-5( ):
HN15.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the discovery of a five-bladed
propeller hub with a large crack on the mounting flange of the hub.
We determined that the hubs at risk are in two populations. The
first population is those hubs with unknown hours, or with between
1,800 and 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS). The second population
is all other hubs with fewer than 1,800 or more than 4,500 hours
TIS. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade
separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane
control.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Propeller Hub Inspection
(f) Using Hartzell Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-295, Revision
2, dated August 1, 2007, do a onetime eddy current inspection of the
propeller mounting holes and replace the propeller hub if any crack
is found. Inspect as follows:
(1) If propeller hub TIS is unknown, or more than 1,800 hours
but fewer than 4,500 hours, inspect the mounting holes within 12
calendar months, or within the next 150 hours TIS, or at the next
scheduled airframe ``A'' check inspection.
(2) If the propeller hub TIS is 1,800 hours or fewer, or 4,500
hours or more, inspect the mounting holes within 12 calendar months,
or within 600 hours TIS, or at the next scheduled airframe ``B''
check inspection, whichever comes first.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Contact Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300 East
Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; e-mail: timothy.smyth@faa.gov;
telephone (847) 294-7132; fax (847) 294-7834, for more information
about this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Hartzell Service Bulletin HC-SB-61-295,
Revision 2, dated August 1, 2007, to perform the inspection required
by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Hartzell Propeller
Inc., Technical Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua,
OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-4200; fax (937) 778-4391, for a copy
of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, New
England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202)
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 21, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23119 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
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