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[Federal Register: October 8, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 195)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 62333-62335]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08oc10-8]                         

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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: michael.schwetz@faa.gov; 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: 
michael.schwetz@faa.gov; 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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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