Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0868; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-047-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
 SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report that during start up on ground a RH propeller gear box (PGB) on the airship has failed resulting in free rotation of the propeller. Investigation performed by the manufacturer revealed that the bevel gear in the propeller gearbox had cracked near the hub area. During an extensive metallurgical investigation of the cracked bevel gear some different manufacturing deviations outside of the specifications were detected. Deviations in the heat treatment, wall thickness of the bevel gear near the hub area, and score marks caused during the production process have been established as causal factors for this failure. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
 DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 5, 2009.
 ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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:*
                         U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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 (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: 
                        *karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2009-0868; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-047-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 The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No. 2009-0182, dated August 20, 2009 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report that during start up on ground a RH propeller gear box (PGB) on the airship has failed resulting in free rotation of the propeller. Investigation performed by the manufacturer revealed that the bevel gear in the propeller gearbox had cracked near the hub area. During an extensive metallurgical investigation of the cracked bevel gear some different manufacturing deviations outside of the specifications were detected. Deviations in the heat treatment, wall thickness of the bevel gear near the hub area, and score marks caused during the production process have been established as causal factors for this failure. For the reasons described above, this new AD mandates the replacement of the affected bevel gears, and limits, as a temporary measure, their service-life to 1 000 Flight Hours (for non-refurbished PGBs) and to 1 600 Flight Hours (for refurbished PGBs). You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. Relevant Service Information ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG has issued Service Bulletin S07 830 0001, Issue B-00, dated June 29, 2009. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information. We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 18 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed 
                    ( print page 48020)
                    AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $66,488 per gear box replacement. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $67,928 per gear box replacement. 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); 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation
Aircraft
Aviation safety
Incorporation by reference
Safety
 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 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                        49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13
  2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD: **ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG:**
                                 Docket No. FAA-2009-0868; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-047-AD. Comments Due Date (a) We must receive comments by November 5, 2009. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Model LZ N07-100 airships, serial numbers 002, 003, and 004, that are certificated in any category and are equipped with the following propeller gear boxes: Part No.
Serial No.
Designation07 722 0001-200
103, 106, 109, 112, 401, 401
AFT propeller gear box.07 722 0002-200
101, 104, 107, 110, 201
LH propeller gear box.07 722 0003-200
102, 105, 108, 111, 301, 302
RH propeller gear box.
 Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 65: Tail Rotor Drive. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report that during start up on ground a RH propeller gear box (PGB) on the airship has failed resulting in free rotation of the propeller. Investigation performed by the manufacturer revealed that the bevel gear in the propeller gearbox had cracked near the hub area. During an extensive metallurgical investigation of the cracked bevel gear some different manufacturing deviations outside of the specifications were detected. Deviations in the heat treatment, wall thickness of the bevel gear near the hub area, and score marks caused during the production process have been established as causal factors for this failure. For the reasons described above, this new AD mandates the replacement of the affected bevel gears, and limits, as a temporary measure, their service-life to 1 000 Flight Hours (for non-refurbished PGBs) and to 1 600 Flight Hours (for refurbished PGBs). Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance with ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin S07 830 0001, Issue B-00, dated June 29, 2009: (1) As of the effective date of this AD, before the accumulation of the applicable total hours time-in-service (TIS) as defined in the appendix of ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin S07 830 0001, Issue B-00, dated June 29, 2009, replace the bevel gears of the propeller gearbox. (2) As of the effective date of this AD, for airships with a propeller gear box identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that have exceeded the applicable total hours TIS as defined in the appendix of ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin S07 830 0001, Issue B-00, dated June 29, 2009, replace the bevel gears of the propeller gearbox within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, airships with a propeller gear box S/N 102, 107, 108, 109, or 112, contact the manufacturer at ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG, 88046 Friedrichsfafen, Allmannsweilerstrasse 132, Germany; telephone: + 49 (0) 7541-5900-546; fax: +40 (0) 7541-5900-516, to obtain a repair scheme within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD. Incorporate the repair scheme before further flight after receipt. (4) After doing the replacements required in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, replace the bevel gears of the propeller gearbox thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,600 hours TIS on the propeller gearbox. Note 1: The time between overhaul for gear boxes specified in the airship maintenance manual remains unchanged. Note 2: Airships with a propeller gear box S/N 102, 107, 108, 109, or 112 have exceeded their life limit and are not eligible for bevel gear replacement. See paragraph (f)(3) of this AD. 
 
 FAA AD Differences Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) 
                                *Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs):*
                                 The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: 
                                *karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.*
                                 Before using any approved AMOC on any airship to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) 
                                *Airworthy Product:*
                                 For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) 
                                *Reporting Requirements:*
                                 For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
                                *et seq.*), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.  2009-0182, dated August 20, 2009; and ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG Service Bulletin S07 830 0001, Issue B-00, dated June 29, 2009, for related information.
 Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 14, 2009. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.


[FR Doc. E9-22641 Filed 9-18-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P