[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27871-27873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12825]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-05; Amendment 39-9243; AD 95-11-08]


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-92WK-
(  ) and HC-92ZK-(  ) Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes airworthiness directive (AD) 73-02-
01, applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-92WK-(  ) and HC-
92ZK-(  ) propellers, that currently requires visual and penetrant 
inspections of the propeller blade shank area for corrosion at 1,000 
hour time in service (TIS) intervals and shotpeening after inspection. 
This amendment requires a one-time inspection of the blade clamp 
screws, then a dye penetrant inspection, compressive rolling of the 
blade shank, and replacement of blade clamp screws, all to be 
accomplished at intervals of 500 hours TIS. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of two recent propeller blade separations that occurred at 
less than 1,000 hours TIS since last inspection. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent propeller blade separation, which 
could result in loss of control of the aircraft.

DATES: Effective June 12, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 12, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 25, 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. [[Page 27872]] 95-ANE-05, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Hartzell Propeller Inc., One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634; 
telephone (513) 778-4200, fax (513) 778-4391. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 232, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone 
(708) 294-7031, fax (708) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 5, 1973, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued airworthiness directive (AD) 73-02-01, 
Amendment 39-1584 (38 FR 1381, January 12, 1973), applicable to 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-92WK-(  ) and HC-92ZK-(  ) 
propellers, to require visual and penetrant inspections of the 
propeller blade shank area for corrosion prior to accumulating 1,000 
hour time in service (TIS) intervals, and shotpeening after inspection. 
That action was prompted by the separation of a blade at the blank 
shank of a Hartzell propeller. That condition, if not corrected, could 
result in propeller blade separation, which could result in loss of 
control of the aircraft.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received reports of two 
recent propeller blade separations that occurred at less than 1,000 
hours TIS since last inspection. In both accidents, the propeller blade 
separation resulted from a crack at the propeller blade shank. Either 
crack may have initiated from a failed blade clamp screw, part number 
A-282, which was found in both accidents.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 202, dated January 5, 
1995, that describes procedures for inspection of the clamp screw, 
visual and dye penetrant inspections and compressive rolling of the 
propeller blade shank, and replacement of blade clamp screws. Since an 
unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop 
on other propellers of this same type design, this AD supersedes AD 73-
02-01 to require a one-time inspection of the clamp screws, then a dye 
penetrant inspection, compressive rolling of the propeller blade shank, 
and replacement of blade clamp screws, all to be accomplished at 
intervals of 500 hours TIS. The actions are required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the SB 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 95-ANE-05.'' 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.

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 removing Amendment 39-1584, (38 FR 
1381, January 12 ,1973), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
Amendment 39-9243, to read as follows:


95-11-08  Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-9243. Docket 95-ANE-
05. Supersedes AD 73-02-01, Amendment 39-1584.

    Applicability: Hartzell Propeller Inc. Models HC-92WK-(  ) and 
HC-92ZK-(  ) propellers, installed on but not limited to the 
following aircraft: Aerostar Aircraft Corp. (formerly Ted Smith 
Aerostar) Model Aerostar 360; Air & Space America, Inc. Model 18A; 
Aircraft Acquisition Corp. (formerly Helio) Models H-250, 500; Beech 
Models 95, B95, B95A, D95A, E95; Cessna Models 172, 175, 175A; Found 
Brothers Aviation Ltd. Models FBA 100, FBA-2C; Kwad Company Model 
Super-V; Mooney Aircraft Corp. Model M20A; Piper Models PA-23, PA-
24, PA-25; Procaer Model F15/B; Revo Inc. Models C2, Lake LA-4; and 
[[Page 27873]] Simmering Graz Pauker A.G. Model SGP-222.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each 
propeller identified in the preceding applicability provision, 
regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in 
the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For propellers that 
have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of 
the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use 
the authority provided in paragraph (e) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any propeller from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Note 2: The above is not an exhaustive list of aircraft which 
may contain the affected Hartzell Models HC-92WK-(  ) and HC-92ZK-(  
) propellers because of installation approvals made by, for example, 
Supplemental Type Certificate or field approval under FAA Form 337 
``Major Repair and Alteration.'' 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 propeller blade separation, which could result in 
loss of control of the aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) For all affected propellers, within 10 hours time in service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, perform a blade clamp 
screw inspection in accordance with Procedure No. 1 of Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 202, dated January 5, 1995. 
If any clamp screws are loose (i.e., screws turn when applying 
torque in a clockwise rotation) or broken, remove propeller and send 
to an authorized repair station for disassembly and inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD prior to further flight.
    (b) For affected propellers whose time since last blade dye 
penetrant inspection or compliance with AD 73-02-01 is unknown, 
within the next 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the following:
     (1) Disassemble, perform a dye penetrant inspection of the 
blade shank, perform compressive rolling of the blade shank, and 
replace clamp socket screws with Part Number (P/N) A-321 clamp 
socket screws in accordance with Procedure No. 2 of Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. SB No. 202, dated January 5, 1995. If cracks are 
found during a dye penetrant inspection of the blade shank, replace 
with a serviceable blade that has been compressively rolled in the 
blade shank.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS since last 
inspection, repeat paragraph (b)(1) of this AD. The P/N A-321 clamp 
screws are to be used one time only and are to be replaced with new 
screws each time the propeller blade clamp is disassembled.
    (c) For affected propellers whose time since last blade dye 
penetrant inspection or compliance with AD 73-02-01 is greater than 
275 hours TIS, within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD, accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.
    (d) For affected propellers whose time since last blade dye 
penetrant inspection or compliance with AD 73-02-01 is less than or 
equal to 275 hours TIS, prior to reaching 300 hours TIS since last 
blade dye penetrant inspection or compliance with AD 73-02-01, 
accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.
    (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. Special flight 
permits should not be issued if loose or broken screws are found.
    (g) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Hartzell Propeller Inc. SB:
    Document No. SB No. 202.
    Pages: 1-5.
    Date: January 5, 1995.
    Total pages: 5.
    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 Hartzell Propeller Inc., One 
Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634; telephone (513) 778-4200, fax 
(513) 778-4391. 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 June 12, 1995.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 17, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12825 Filed 5-24-95; 2:35 pm]
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