[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7101-7102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2758]
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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;
Amendment 39-16602; AD 2011-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Propellers Model
247F Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD requires removing affected propeller
blades from service. This AD was prompted by 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.
DATES: This AD is effective March 16, 2011.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
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 address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
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;
telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-7170; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified
products. That SNPRM published in the Federal Register on October 8,
2010 (75 FR 62333). That SNPRM proposed to require removing affected
propeller blades from service.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination
of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for
minor changes to the compliance date for certain serial number (S/N)
propeller blades. The SNPRM proposed to require removing propeller
blades part number (P/N) 817370-1, S/Ns FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive,
FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT
inclusive, before December 31, 2010. We determined that those S/N
propeller blades should be removed within the same compliance time as
propeller blades P/N 817370-1, S/Ns FR2018, FR2103, FR2108, FR2109,
FR2111, FR2123, FR2183, FR2187, FR2262, FR2276 through FR2279
inclusive, and FR2398. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the SNPRM.
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.
[[Page 7102]]
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
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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 FAA amends 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 (AD):
2011-04-02 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Amendment 39-16602;
Docket No. FAA-2009-0113; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-25-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective March 16, 2011.
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,
FR2276 through FR2279, FR2398, FR2449 to FR2958 inclusive,
FR20010710 to FR20010722 inclusive, and FR20010723RT to FR20020127RT
inclusive, within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) 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
(h) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238-7761; fax (781) 238-7170;
e-mail: [email protected].
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 31, 2011.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2758 Filed 2-8-11; 8:45 am]
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