[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18774-18776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8380]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 13, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 18774]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Model
4HFR34C653/L106FA Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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), for McCauley Propeller Systems model
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. That proposed AD would have required a
onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and eddy current
inspection (ECI) of the propeller hub for cracks. That proposed AD
resulted from reports of 3 hubs found cracked during propeller
overhaul. This supplemental NPRM would require the same inspections.
This supplemental NPRM results from reports of 7 additional hubs found
cracked during propeller overhaul, totaling 10 cracked hubs. We are
proposing this supplemental AD to prevent failure of the propeller hub,
which could cause blade separation, damage to the airplane, and loss of
control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 14,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. 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.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704;
phone (800) 621-7767.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected];
phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107.
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-2007-29176;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-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 (phone (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 September 24, 2007, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add an AD, for McCauley
Propeller Systems model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. The proposed AD
published as an NPRM in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007 (72
FR 55120). That NPRM proposed to require a onetime FPI and ECI of the
propeller hub for cracks. That NPRM resulted from reports of 3 hubs
found cracked during propeller overhaul.
Since we issued that NPRM, we received reports of 7 additional hubs
found cracked during propeller overhaul. That brings the total of hubs
that have had cracks located in the hub socket region, in the area of
the outer bearing race press-fit surfaces, to 10. To date, the cause of
these cracks appears to be fretting damage between the outer bearing
race and the hub surface. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the propeller hub, which could cause blade
separation, damage to the airplane, and loss of control of the
airplane.
Also since we issued that NPRM, we eliminated the reporting
requirement to McCauley Propeller Systems.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of that proposed AD. We have considered the comment
received on the original NPRM.
Proposed AD Should Also Set a Time Limit
One commenter, a private citizen, recommends that the proposed AD
also set a time limit on when inspections should take place. The
commenter recommends an hour limit, and a year-old limit. We infer that
the commenter is asking for a calendar time limit as well as the
proposed operating hour time-since-new limit, to ensure the
[[Page 18775]]
inspection occurs in a more timely manner.
We do not agree. The hub failure mechanism appears to be fretting
damage which results in crack formation and subsequent growth.
Propellers that are not operating do not accumulate fretting damage.
Therefore, we cannot justify the use of calendar time. We did not
change the proposed AD.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of McCauley
Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB254, dated August
20, 2007. That ASB describes procedures for a onetime FPI and ECI of
propeller hubs for cracks.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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
a onetime FPI and ECI of propeller hubs for cracks. The proposed AD
would require you to use the service information described previously
to perform these actions.
Interim Action
These actions are interim actions and we may take further
rulemaking actions in the future.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this supplemental proposed AD would affect 128
propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate
that it would take about 41.5 work-hours per propeller to perform the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD
to U.S. operators to be $451,520.
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 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 that the proposed 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. 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, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
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:
McCauley Propeller Systems: Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 14,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems model
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of 10 hubs found cracked during
propeller overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the
propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the
airplane, and loss of control of the airplane.
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.
(f) For propeller hubs with 6,000 or more operating hours time-
since-new (TSN) on the effective date of this AD, perform the
procedures in paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD within 100
operating hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of
this AD.
(g) For propeller hubs with fewer than 6,000 operating hours TSN
on the effective date of this AD, perform the procedures in
paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD before the propeller hub
reaches 6,100 operating hours TSN.
Onetime Propeller Hub Inspection
(h) Remove and disassemble the propeller, and etch the propeller
hub, using paragraphs 1.A. through 2.D. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin
No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
(i) Perform a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of
the propeller hub, using paragraphs 3.A. through 3.G. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert
Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
(j) For hubs that pass the FPI, perform a onetime eddy current
inspection of the propeller hub, using paragraphs 4.A. through 4.F.
of the Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems
Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
(k) Remove cracked hubs from service and any other propeller
parts found cracked.
Previous Credit
(l) If you performed the onetime inspection of the propeller hub
using McCauley Propeller Systems Service Bulletin No. SB238A, or
Alert Service Bulletin ASB254, both dated August 20, 2007, before
the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the inspection
requirements of this AD.
Interim Action
(m) These actions are interim actions and we may take further
rulemaking actions in the future.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(n) The Manager, Wichita 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.
[[Page 18776]]
Special Flight Permits
(o) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight
permits for this AD as follows:
(1) The propeller must have no signs of external oil leakage
from the hub; and
(2) The propeller has no current reports of abnormal operation
or vibration.
Related Information
(p) McCauley Propeller Systems, Service Bulletin No. ASB254,
dated August 20, 2007, pertains to the subject of this AD. Contact
McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704;
phone (800) 621-7767, for a copy of this service information.
(q) Contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: (316)
946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107, for more information about this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-8380 Filed 4-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P