Document ID: FAA-2008-1088-0008
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Dowty Propellers Propellers
Posted Date: 2014-06-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33048-33049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12266]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD; 
Amendment 39-17831; AD 2008-21-07R1]
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 airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-21-07 for 
certain Dowty Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17 propellers. AD 2008-21-
07 required initial and repetitive inspections of the blade bonded 
metallic leading edge (L/E) guards for correct bonding until they 
accumulate more than 1,200 flight hours (FH) time-in-service. This AD 
requires the same inspection and replacement requirements of AD 2008-
21-07. This AD also provides an optional terminating action to those 
requirements. This AD was prompted by updated service bulletins that 
identify terminating action to the requirements of AD 2008-21-07. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of the bonded metallic L/E 
guard of the propeller, which could result in damage to the propeller 
or to the airplane, or injury to personnel.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 15, 
2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 31, 2008 (73 FR 61346, October 16, 2008).

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2008-
1088; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), 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 & 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 2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73 FR 61346, 
October 16, 2008), (``AD 2008-21-07''). AD 2008-21-07 applied to the 
specified products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 26, 2013 (78 FR 78290). The NPRM proposed to continue to 
require the inspection and replacement requirements of AD 2008-21-07 
and provide an optional terminating action to those requirements.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 78290, December 26, 
2013). Since we issued the NPRM we received information that propeller 
blade, part number (P/N) 697071278-18, has not been implemented and 
that no parts were manufactured using this P/N. We removed propeller 
blade, P/N 697071278-18, from this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 174 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 
hours per propeller to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Required parts cost about $352 per propeller. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators is 
$120,408.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order

[[Page 33049]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73 FR 61346, October 16, 2008), and 
adding the following new AD:

AD 2008-21-07R1 Dowty Propellers Propellers: Amendment 39-17831; 
Docket No. FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 15, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73 FR 61346, 
October 16, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dowty Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17 
propellers with blades, part numbers 697071200-18, 697071210-18, 
697071227-18, 697071240-18, 697071245-18, or 697071257-18, 
installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by updated service bulletins that identify 
terminating action to the requirements of AD 2008-21-07 (73 FR 
61346, October 16, 2008). We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss 
of the bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guard of the propeller, 
which could result in damage to the propeller or to the airplane, or 
injury to personnel.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within the next 50 flight hours (FH) or within 30 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect all 
affected blade assemblies where the bonded metallic L/E guard has 
accumulated 1,200 FH time-in-service or less since installation, in 
accordance with the instructions of Dowty Propellers Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 
2007.
    (2) Within 50 FH or 30 days, whichever occurs first, after 
installing a replacement blade, inspect the affected blade assembly 
where the bonded metallic L/E guard has accumulated 1,200 FH time-
in-service or less since installation, in accordance with the 
instructions of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, 
dated September 18, 2007.
    (3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 FH, repeat the 
inspection of the affected blade assemblies in accordance with the 
instructions of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, 
dated September 18, 2007, until the blade bonded metallic L/E guard 
has accumulated more than 1,200 FH time-in-service since 
installation.
    (4) If, during any of the inspections required by this AD, 
disbonding is found, apply the criteria in Appendix A of Dowty 
Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 
2007 and, within the associated time period, repair or replace the 
affected blade assembly in accordance with Dowty Propellers ASB No. 
D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 2007.
    (5) Blades that were repaired within the first 101.6 mm (4.0 
inches) of the tip of the blade as specified in Appendix D of Dowty 
Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 
2007, are eligible to continue in service for another 500 FH after 
accomplishment of the repair. Repair does not terminate the 
repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD.

(f) Optional Terminating Action

    As optional terminating action to the repetitive inspection 
requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, modify the affected 
propeller using Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin (SB) No. D8400-61-
70, Revision 3, dated June 3, 2013, or SB No. D8400-61-83, Revision 
4, dated June 3, 2013, as applicable.

(g) 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.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email: 
michael.schwetz@faa.gov.
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2007-
0223R4, dated September 30, 2013, for more information. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2008-1088-0006.

(i) 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 
July 15, 2014.
    (i) Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin (SB) No. D8400-61-70, 
Revision 3, dated June 3, 2013.
    (ii) Dowty Propellers SB No. D8400-61-83, Revision 4, dated June 
3, 2013.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 31, 2008, 73 FR 61346, October 16, 2008.
    (i) Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. D8400-61-A69, 
Revision 1, including Appendices A and D, dated September 18, 2007; 
and Appendices B and C dated August 15, 2007.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For Dowty Propellers 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at 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.
    (7) 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 May 15, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12266 Filed 6-9-14; 8:45 am]
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