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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9001-9003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02719]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0056; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-48-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 
Propellers

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), DOT.

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23 series 
propellers using certain Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation auxiliary 
pumps and motors (auxiliary feathering pumps). This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of a propeller not moving into the feathering 
position after an engine in-flight shutdown. This proposed AD would 
require removing certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of auxiliary feathering 
pumps from service. We are proposing this AD to prevent propellers from 
failing to move into the feathering position after an engine in-flight 
shutdown. Propellers failing to feather can cause high drag on the 
propeller, asymmetric thrust, and difficulty of, or impossibility in, 
controlling the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2013.

[[Page 9002]]

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Hamilton Sundstrand Propeller Technical Team, One Hamilton Road, Mail 
Stop 1-3-AB43, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; fax: 860-654-5107. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.

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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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; 
phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email: michael.schwetz@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0056; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-48-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received a report of an engine in-flight shutdown on a 
Bombardier DHC-8-400 airplane, where the propeller did not move into 
the feathering position. Bombardier was in contact with Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation inquiring about the auxiliary feathering pump 
used on the Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation propellers. Hamilton 
Sundstrand Corporation found the auxiliary feathering pump used on 
their 14SF series propeller is a similar design as that used on the 
DHC-8-400 airplane. The Hamilton Sundstrand investigation revealed some 
of their auxiliary feathering pump motors had internal corrosion that 
may cause the stator magnets in the pump motor to fail and rotate into 
the path of the armature, preventing the pump from feathering the 
propeller. This condition, if not corrected, could result in propellers 
failing to feather, causing high drag on the propeller, asymmetric 
thrust, and difficulty of, or impossibility in, controlling the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 14SF-61-A165, dated September 25, 2012. The ASB lists by S/N 
the affected Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation auxiliary feathering 
pumps, part number (P/N) 782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) and 
provides instructions for getting the pumps modified.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing the affected auxiliary 
feathering pumps from service.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 284 Hamilton Sundstrand 
Corporation 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23 series propellers using 
affected auxiliary feathering pumps installed on airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1.5 hours per 
propeller to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Required parts cost is $6,000 per propeller. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,740,210.

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 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction.
    (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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 9003]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2013-0056; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-48-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 25, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 14SF-7, 14SF-
15, and 14SF-23 series propellers, using Hamilton Sundstrand 
Corporation auxiliary pumps and motors (auxiliary feathering pumps), 
part number (P/N) 782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009), with the 
following serial numbers (S/Ns):
    (1) S/Ns 1 through 365, excluding 95, 108, 122, 177, 193, 278, 
285, 293, 297, 310, and 362.
    (2) S/Ns 366 through 710, excluding 387, 405, 423, 481, 506, 
574, 584, 596, 632, and 669.
    (3) S/Ns 711 through 1035, excluding 733, 824, 852, and 994.
    (4) S/Ns 1036 through 1475, excluding 1038, 1054, 1081, 1086, 
1098, and 1177.
    (5) S/Ns 1476 through 1615, excluding 1523.
    (6) S/Ns 4516 through 4521.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a propeller not moving into 
the feathering position after an engine in-flight shutdown. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent propellers from failing to move into the 
feathering position after an engine in-flight shutdown. Propellers 
failing to feather can cause high drag on the propeller, asymmetric 
thrust, and difficulty of or impossibility in controlling the 
airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Auxiliary Feathering Pump Removal

    Remove the affected auxiliary feathering pumps from service at 
the following:
    (1) Not later than April 30, 2013, for the affected S/Ns listed 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Not later than October 31, 2013, for the affected S/Ns 
listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD.
    (3) Not later than April 30, 2014, for the affected S/Ns listed 
in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD.
    (4) Not later than October 31, 2014, for the affected S/Ns 
listed in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD.
    (5) Not later than April 30, 2015, for the affected S/Ns listed 
in paragraph (c)(5) of this AD.
    (6) Not later than April 30, 2014, for the affected S/Ns listed 
in paragraph (c)(6) of this AD.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
auxiliary feathering pump listed as affected in paragraph (c) this 
AD, unless the auxiliary feathering pump has been properly modified. 
Properly modified auxiliary feathering pumps will have the letter 
``M'' following the pump S/N, as described in Hamilton Sundstrand 
Corporation Alert Service Bulletin No. 14SF-61-A165, dated September 
25, 2012.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) 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; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email: 
michael.schwetz@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in 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. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 29, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02719 Filed 2-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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