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[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21979-21981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10590]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-14; Amendment 39-9211; AD 95-09-08]

Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB propellers. This action 
requires installation of internal steel components, replacement of a 
balance ring, replacement of cylinder mounting screws, and modification 
to an oil-filled configuration with red dye. Replacement of the 
identified components redistributes propeller weight while the red dye 
oil-filling provides an ``on-condition'' (in-service) 
[[Page 21980]] means of early crack detection of the propeller assembly 
and also improves lubrication and corrosion protection. Any screw 
failures or cracks found during the accomplishment of this AD must be 
reported to the FAA. This amendment is prompted by a report of a 
propeller found with at least one cylinder screw that had failed due to 
fatigue. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
cylinder screw failure that could result in loss of propeller control 
and subsequent loss of aircraft control.

DATES: Effective May 19, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 19, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 3, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-14, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
McCauley Accessory Division, The Cessna Aircraft Company, 3535 McCauley 
Drive, P.O. Drawer 5053, Vandalia, OH 45377-5053; telephone (513) 890-
5246, fax (513) 890-6001. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bonnen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Ave., Room 232, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (708) 
294-7134, fax (708) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
received a report that a McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB propeller 
installed on a Beech Bonanza that crashed on October 2, 1992, had at 
least one cylinder screw that had failed due to fatigue. Though the 
screw failure was not associated with the cause of the accident since 
the cylinder remained attached until impact, continued operation of a 
propeller with failed cylinder screws could lead to additional screw 
failures and ultimately loss of propeller control. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in cylinder screw failure that could result 
in loss of propeller control and subsequent loss of aircraft control.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
McCauley Service Letter (SL) No. 1993-13, dated September 15, 1993, 
that describes procedures for the installation of internal steel 
components, replacement of a balance ring, and for conversion of non-
oil filled propeller models to an oil filled configuration.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB propellers of 
the same type design, this airworthiness directive (AD) is being issued 
to prevent cylinder screw failure that could result in loss of 
propeller control and subsequent loss of aircraft control. This AD 
requires, within the next 50 hours time in service (TIS), at the next 
annual inspection, or within 12 calendar months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, installing internal steel 
components, replacing balance ring part number C-6440-[X] with part 
number C-6560, replacing cylinder mounting screws with new screws, part 
number A-1635-70, and modifying the propeller to a red dye oil-filled 
configuration. The modification of the propeller hub assembly to 
contain oil with a red dye provides an ``on-condition'' (in-service) 
means of early crack detection and also improves lubrication and 
corrosion protection. The propeller weight increase from the addition 
of the internal steel components, together with the addition of the 
lubricating oil, permit the replacement of the C-6440-[X] balance ring 
without affecting propeller weight. The new balance ring is reduced in 
weight to reduce loading on the propeller cylinder mounting screws. Any 
screw failures or cracks found during the accomplishment of this AD 
must be reported. This information is necessary for the FAA to assess 
the long term effectiveness of the corrective actions described in this 
AD. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
SL described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-ANE-14.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES. [[Page 21981]] 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-09-08  McCauley: Amendment 39-9211. Docket 94-ANE-14.

    Applicability: McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB two bladed 
propellers with the following Propeller Serial Numbers:
    901074-901092, 901094-901099, 901315-901320, 901322-901336, 
901338-901340, 902816, 902818-902821;
    910044, 910046-910051, 910161-910164, 910166, 910169-910170, 
910172, 910174, 910176-910181, 911694, 911696, 912019, 912057, 
912060, 912062, 912912;
    920256-920260, 920262, 920264, 920266.
    The above McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB serial-numbered 
propellers are installed on but not limited to Beech Debonair 35-33, 
-A33, -B33, -C33, -C33A; E33, E33A, E33C, F33, F33A, F33C, and G33; 
and Beech Bonanza 35, 35R, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, 
J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 36, and A36 aircraft.

    Note: The above is not an exhaustive list of aircraft which may 
contain the affected serial-numbered McCauley Model 2A37C223/90RB 
propellers. It is not possible to identify all aircraft using the 
affected propeller model because of installation approvals made by 
Supplemental Type Certificate or FAA Form 337 ``Major Repair and 
Alteration,'' etc. It is the responsibility of the owner, operator, 
and person returning the aircraft to service to determine if an 
aircraft has an affected propeller.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cylinder screw failure that could result in loss of 
propeller control and subsequent loss of aircraft control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time in service (TIS), at the next 
annual inspection, or within 12 calendar months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install internal steel 
components, replace balance ring part number C-6440-[X] with part 
number C-6560, replace cylinder mounting screws with new screws, 
part number A-1635-70, and modify the propeller to an oil-filled 
configuration with red dye, all in accordance with McCauley SL No. 
1993-13, dated September 15, 1993. Any propeller marked as 2A37C223/
90RB-C that has an oil-fill plug in the side of the hub has complied 
with paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note: The modification of the propeller hub assembly to contain 
oil with a red dye provides an ``on-condition'' (in-service) means 
of early crack detection of the propeller assembly and also improves 
lubrication and corrosion protection. The oil will add approximately 
2.8 lbs. to the weight of the propeller assembly.

    (b) If leakage of oil containing red dye is detected in service 
(whether during flight or while on the ground), determine, prior to 
further flight, the source of leakage in accordance with McCauley SL 
No. 1993-13, dated September 15, 1993. Remove from service, prior to 
further flight, propeller assemblies that exhibit cracks and replace 
with a serviceable unit, modified in accordance with paragraph (a) 
of this AD, or with an equivalent initial production propeller that 
has incorporated a hub with oil containing red dye. Oil-filled 
propellers are identified by a letter C in the model designation and 
an oil-fill plug on the side of the hub.
    (c) The ``calendar month'' compliance times stated in this AD 
allow the performance of the required action up to the last day of 
the month in which compliance is required.
    (d) Report in writing any screw failures or cracks found during 
the accomplishment of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this AD to the 
Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 2300 East Devon Ave., Room 232, Des Plaines, IL 60018; 
telephone (708) 294-7134, fax (708) 294-7834, within 10 days of the 
inspection. Information collection requirements contained in the 
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 
(Pub. L. 96-511) and has been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (g) The replacement and modifications shall be done in 
accordance with the following McCauley service document:

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                  Document No.                     Pages        Date    
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SL No. 1993-13..................................     1-25  Sept. 15,    
                                                            1993.       
Total pages: 25.                                                        
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    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from McCauley Accessory Division, 
The Cessna Aircraft Company, 3535 McCauley Drive, P.O. Drawer 5053, 
Vandalia, OH 45377-5053; telephone (513) 890-5246, fax (513) 890-
6001. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10590 Filed 5-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
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