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[Federal Register: April 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 70)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 18774-18776]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap10-15]                         

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================



[[Page 18774]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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), for McCauley Propeller Systems model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. That proposed AD would have required a 
onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and eddy current 
inspection (ECI) of the propeller hub for cracks. That proposed AD 
resulted from reports of 3 hubs found cracked during propeller 
overhaul. This supplemental NPRM would require the same inspections. 
This supplemental NPRM results from reports of 7 additional hubs found 
cracked during propeller overhaul, totaling 10 cracked hubs. We are 
proposing this supplemental AD to prevent failure of the propeller hub, 
which could cause blade separation, damage to the airplane, and loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 14, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704; 
phone (800) 621-7767.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: jeff.janusz@faa.gov; 
phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107.

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-2007-29176; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-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 (phone (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 September 24, 2007, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add an AD, for McCauley 
Propeller Systems model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. The proposed AD 
published as an NPRM in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007 (72 
FR 55120). That NPRM proposed to require a onetime FPI and ECI of the 
propeller hub for cracks. That NPRM resulted from reports of 3 hubs 
found cracked during propeller overhaul.
    Since we issued that NPRM, we received reports of 7 additional hubs 
found cracked during propeller overhaul. That brings the total of hubs 
that have had cracks located in the hub socket region, in the area of 
the outer bearing race press-fit surfaces, to 10. To date, the cause of 
these cracks appears to be fretting damage between the outer bearing 
race and the hub surface. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the propeller hub, which could cause blade 
separation, damage to the airplane, and loss of control of the 
airplane.
    Also since we issued that NPRM, we eliminated the reporting 
requirement to McCauley Propeller Systems.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of that proposed AD. We have considered the comment 
received on the original NPRM.

Proposed AD Should Also Set a Time Limit

    One commenter, a private citizen, recommends that the proposed AD 
also set a time limit on when inspections should take place. The 
commenter recommends an hour limit, and a year-old limit. We infer that 
the commenter is asking for a calendar time limit as well as the 
proposed operating hour time-since-new limit, to ensure the

[[Page 18775]]

inspection occurs in a more timely manner.
    We do not agree. The hub failure mechanism appears to be fretting 
damage which results in crack formation and subsequent growth. 
Propellers that are not operating do not accumulate fretting damage. 
Therefore, we cannot justify the use of calendar time. We did not 
change the proposed AD.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of McCauley 
Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB254, dated August 
20, 2007. That ASB describes procedures for a onetime FPI and ECI of 
propeller hubs for cracks.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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 
a onetime FPI and ECI of propeller hubs for cracks. The proposed AD 
would require you to use the service information described previously 
to perform these actions.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this supplemental proposed AD would affect 128 
propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate 
that it would take about 41.5 work-hours per propeller to perform the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD 
to U.S. operators to be $451,520.

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 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 that the proposed AD:
    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. Would 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. 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, Incorporation by reference, 
Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    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:

McCauley Propeller Systems: Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 14, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of 10 hubs found cracked during 
propeller overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the 
airplane, and loss of control of the airplane.

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.
    (f) For propeller hubs with 6,000 or more operating hours time-
since-new (TSN) on the effective date of this AD, perform the 
procedures in paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD within 100 
operating hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (g) For propeller hubs with fewer than 6,000 operating hours TSN 
on the effective date of this AD, perform the procedures in 
paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD before the propeller hub 
reaches 6,100 operating hours TSN.

Onetime Propeller Hub Inspection

    (h) Remove and disassemble the propeller, and etch the propeller 
hub, using paragraphs 1.A. through 2.D. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (i) Perform a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
the propeller hub, using paragraphs 3.A. through 3.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert 
Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (j) For hubs that pass the FPI, perform a onetime eddy current 
inspection of the propeller hub, using paragraphs 4.A. through 4.F. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems 
Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (k) Remove cracked hubs from service and any other propeller 
parts found cracked.

Previous Credit

    (l) If you performed the onetime inspection of the propeller hub 
using McCauley Propeller Systems Service Bulletin No. SB238A, or 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB254, both dated August 20, 2007, before 
the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the inspection 
requirements of this AD.

Interim Action

    (m) These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (n) The Manager, Wichita 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.

[[Page 18776]]

Special Flight Permits

    (o) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight 
permits for this AD as follows:
    (1) The propeller must have no signs of external oil leakage 
from the hub; and
    (2) The propeller has no current reports of abnormal operation 
or vibration.

Related Information

    (p) McCauley Propeller Systems, Service Bulletin No. ASB254, 
dated August 20, 2007, pertains to the subject of this AD. Contact 
McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704; 
phone (800) 621-7767, for a copy of this service information.
    (q) Contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: jeff.janusz@faa.gov; phone: (316) 
946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107, for more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-8380 Filed 4-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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