[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62333-62335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25390]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers Model
247F Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This supplemental NPRM revises an earlier proposed
airworthiness directive (AD) applicable to Hamilton Sundstrand
Propellers model 247F propeller assemblies with certain part number (P/
N) and serial number (S/N) blades. That proposed AD would require
removing affected propeller blades from service. That proposed AD
resulted from reports of blades with corrosion pits in the tulip area
of the blades. This supplemental NPRM revises the proposed AD to remove
certain propeller S/Ns from the applicability requirement, and to add
additional propeller S/Ns to the applicability requirement. This
proposed AD results from the manufacture's latest service information
containing propeller S/Ns that were not specified in the proposed AD.
We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks from developing in the tulip
area of the blade, which could result in separation of the blade and
possible loss of airplane control.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 7,
2010.
ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD
from Hamilton Sundstrand Propeller Technical Team, One Hamilton Road,
Mail Stop 1-3-AB43, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; fax (860) 654-5107.
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand
Propellers model 247F propeller assemblies with certain P/N and S/N
blades. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on
February 20, 2009 (74 FR 7833). That action proposed to require
removing affected propeller blades from service.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD
in light 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
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search
function of the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any
of our dockets, including, if provided, 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 proposed 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.
Discussion
On February 11, 2009, we proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a
proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to
[[Page 62334]]
Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers model 247F propeller assemblies with
blades, P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2018, FR2083, FR2103, FR2108, FR2109,
FR2111, FR2123, FR2178, FR2183, FR2187, FR2262, FR2276 through FR2279,
FR2303, and FR2389. We published the proposed AD in the Federal
Register on February 20, 2009 (74 FR 7833). That action proposed to
require removing affected propeller blades from service.
Since we issued the proposed AD, Hamilton Sundstrand informed us
that they incorrectly listed blade S/N FR2398 as S/N FR2389. They also
informed us that the 247F propeller blades, P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2449
to FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and
FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive, manufactured since January
1999, might also have damage to the corrosion protection on the blade
tulips. Those blades also require complying with Service Bulletin (SB)
247F-61-54, Revision 1, dated January 12, 2004.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on
the determination of the cost to the public.
Changed Applicability of This Proposed AD
We added blade S/Ns FR2398, FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710
to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive to
the applicability of the proposed AD.
We removed blade S/Ns FR2083, FR2178, FR2303, and FR2389 from the
applicability of the proposed AD. Hamilton Sundstrand informed us that
they have reworked those blades to SB 247F-61-54, Revision 1, dated
January 12, 2004.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, and determined that
air safety and the public interest require reopening the comment period
for the NPRM with the changes described previously.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require
removing certain propeller assemblies before December 31, 2010.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 10 propellers installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 16
work-hours per propeller to perform the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$50 per propeller. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost
of this AD to U.S. operators to be $14,100.
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 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, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2009-0113;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by December 7,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand model 247F series
propellers with blades part number (P/N) 817370-1, serial numbers
(S/Ns) FR2018, FR2103, FR2108, FR2109, FR2111, FR2123, FR2183,
FR2187, FR2262, FR2276 through FR2279 inclusive, FR 2398, FR2449 to
FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and
FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive, installed. These propellers
are installed on, but not limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport
Regional ATR72-210 and ATR72-210E airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of blades with corrosion pits
in the tulip area of the blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent
cracks from developing in the tulip area of the blade, which could
result in separation of the blade 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.
Removing Blades P/N 817370-1
(f) Remove from service, blades P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2018,
FR2103, FR2108, FR2109, FR2111, FR2123, FR2183, FR2187, FR2262, and
FR2276 through FR2279, and FR2398 within 30 days after the effective
date of this AD.
(g) Remove from service, blades P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2449 to
FR2958 inclusive, FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and
FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT inclusive, before December 31, 2010.
[[Page 62335]]
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(h) The Manager, Boston 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
(i) Contact Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-
7170, for more information about this AD.
(j) Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 247F-61-54, Revision 1,
dated January 12, 2004, pertains to the subject of this AD. Contact
Hamilton Sundstrand Propeller Technical Team, One Hamilton Road,
Mail Stop 1-3-AB43, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; fax (860) 654-
5107, for a copy of this service information.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 4, 2010.
Diane S. Romanosky,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-25390 Filed 10-7-10; 8:45 am]
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