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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41283-41284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15292]

[[Page 41283]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0776; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-32-AD; 
Amendment 39-17481; AD 2010-17-11R1]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Dowty Propellers R408/6-123-F/17 model propellers. That 
AD currently requires initial applications of sealant between the bus 
bar assembly and the backplate assembly of certain line-replaceable 
units, and repetitive applications of sealant on all R408/6-123-F/17 
model propellers. This new AD requires the same actions and allows the 
use of an equivalent sealant as prescribed in revised service 
information. This AD was prompted by the need to add an optional 
terminating action to the applications of sealant. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent an in-flight double generator failure, which could result 
in reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 14, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Dowty 
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL2 
9QN, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax: 44 (0) 1452 716001. 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 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; 
phone: 781-238-7761; fax 781-238-7170; email: michael.schwetz@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to revise AD 2010-17-11, Amendment 39-16403 (75 FR 51656, 
August 23, 2010). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2013 (78 FR 9005). 
That NPRM proposed to add an optional terminating action to the 
applications of sealant.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Add Revised Service Information

    Horizon Air requested that we reference the latest revision of 
Dowty Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. D8400-61-A66, which is Revision 
7, dated December 1, 2011 in the Compliance and the Credit for Previous 
Actions sections of the final rule.
    We partially agree. We changed paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of the 
Compliance section to read, ``Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
D8400-61-A66, Revision 7, dated December 1, 2011 to apply the 
sealant.'' We do not agree with the change to the Credit for Previous 
Actions paragraph because referencing the ASB in the Compliance 
paragraph satisfies this request by directing the use of the latest 
revision as stated.

Request To Add Equivalent Sealant

    Horizon Air requested that we allow the use of 3M 4200 sealant as 
an equivalent replacement for the 3M 5300 sealant listed in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. D8400-61-94, Revision 3, dated October 23, 2012.
    We agree. We changed the AD by modifying references to ``sealant'' 
to ``3M 5300 or 3M 4200 sealant'' in the Compliance and Installation 
Prohibition paragraphs.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 9005, February 7, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 9005, February 7, 2013).

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    Dowty Propellers SB No. D8400-61-94, Revision 3, dated October 23, 
2012 requires the application of 3M 5300 sealant between the bus bar 
assembly and the backplate assembly of Dowty Propeller R408/6-123-F/17. 
This AD also permits use of 3M 4200 sealant as an acceptable equivalent 
to the 3M 5300 sealant.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 104 propellers installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
3 hours per propeller to apply the sealant and that required sealant 
will cost about $20 per propeller. We also estimate that it will take 
about 3 hours to replace the bus bar with a de-icer slip ring harness 
and that required parts will cost about $1,200 per propeller. The 
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $171,080.

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

[[Page 41284]]

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2010-17-11, Amendment 39-16403 (75 FR 51656, August 23, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2010-17-11R1 Dowty Propellers: Amendment 39-17481; Docket No. FAA-
2009-0776; Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-32-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 14, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2010-17-11, Amendment 39-16403 (75 FR 51656, 
August 23, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dowty Propellers R408/6-123-F/17 model 
propellers.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the need to add an optional terminating 
action to the applications of sealant. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an in-flight double generator failure, which could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) For R408/6-123-F/17 model propellers with a hub, actuator, 
and backplate assembly line-replaceable unit serial number below 
DAP0347, do the following initial sealant application within 5,000 
flight hours (FHs) after September 27, 2010, or within 100 FHs from 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later:
    (i) Apply 3M 5300 or 3M 4200 sealant between the bus bar 
assemblies and the backplate assembly.
    (ii) Use paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty 
Propellers Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. D8400-61-A66, Revision 
7, dated December 1, 2011, to apply the sealant.
    (2) Thereafter, for all R408/6-123-F/17 model propellers, re-
apply sealant as specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through 
(e)(1)(ii) of this AD within every additional 10,000 FHs.

(f) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any Dowty 
Propellers R408/6-123-F/17 model propeller unless 3M 5300 or 3M 4200 
sealant has been applied between the bus bar assembly and the 
backplate assembly as specified by this AD, or unless the optional 
terminating action as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD has been 
performed.

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    Sealant applications performed before the effective date of this 
AD that followed Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin (SB) No. D8400-
61-66, dated February 9, 2007, Revision 1, dated May 4, 2007; ASB 
No. D8400-61-A66, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2009; Revision 3, 
dated November 10, 2009; Revision 4, dated January 19, 2010; 
Revision 5, dated June 16, 2010, or Revision 6, dated August 17, 
2011 satisfy the initial sealant application requirement of this AD.

(h) Optional Terminating Action

    As optional terminating action to the sealant application 
requirements of this AD, replace the bus bar assembly with a slip 
ring de-icer harness. Use paragraph 3.A. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dowty Propellers SB No. D8400-61-94, Revision 2, 
dated August 29, 2012, or Revision 3, dated October 23, 2012, to do 
the replacement.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2009-0114R1 
(correction: dated December 12, 2012) for related information.
    (2) 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.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 14, 2013.
    (i) Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. D8400-61-A66, 
Revision 7, dated December 1, 2011.
    (ii) Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin No. D8400-61-94, Revision 
2, dated August 29, 2012.
    (iii) Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin No. D8400-61-94, 
Revision 3, dated October 23, 2012.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dowty 
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL 
29QN, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax: 44 (0) 1452 716001.
    (5) 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 18, 2013.
Robert Ganley,
Acting Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15292 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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