Airworthiness Directives; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Propeller Governors, Part Numbers C210776, T210761, D210760, and J210761, 12148-12150 [2010-5549]
Download as PDF
12148
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 49 / Monday, March 15, 2010 / Proposed Rules
[Docket No. FAA–2010–0102; Directorate
Identifier 2010–NE–09–AD]
J210761. This proposed AD would
require removal of the affected propeller
governors from service. This proposed
AD results from three reports received
of failed propeller governors. We are
proposing this AD to prevent loss of
propeller pitch control, damage to the
propeller governor, and internal damage
to the engine, which could prevent
continued safe flight or safe landing.
DATES: We must receive any comments
on this proposed AD by May 14, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to comment on this proposed
AD.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the 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.
Contact Ontic Engineering and
Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 Plummer
Sreet, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail:
Bill.nolan@ontic.com; telephone (818)
725–2323; fax (818) 725–2535; or e-mail:
Susan.hunt@ontic.com; telephone (818)
725–2121; fax (818) 725–2535, or on the
Web at https://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB–
DES–353_Rev_A.pdf for a copy of the
service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA
90712; e-mail: roger.pesuit@faa.gov;
telephone (562) 627–5251, fax (562)
627–5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
RIN 2120–AA64
Comments Invited
conservation standards for residential
furnaces or that DOE should address in
the NOPR.
Furthermore, DOE welcomes all
interested parties, regardless of whether
they participate in the public meeting,
to submit in writing by April 14, 2010,
comments and information on matters
addressed in the RAP and on other
matters relevant to consideration of
standards for residential furnaces.
The public meeting will be conducted
in an informal, conference style. A court
reporter will be present to record the
minutes of the meeting. There shall be
no discussion of proprietary
information, costs or prices, market
shares, or other commercial matters
regulated by United States antitrust
laws.
After the public meeting and the
expiration of the period for submitting
written statements, DOE will consider
all comments and additional
information that is obtained from
interested parties or through further
analyses, and it will prepare a NOPR.
The NOPR will include proposed energy
conservation standards for the products
covered by the rulemaking, and
members of the public will be given an
opportunity to submit written and oral
comments on the proposed standards.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 22,
2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2010–5564 Filed 3–12–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
Airworthiness Directives; Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
Propeller Governors, Part Numbers
C210776, T210761, D210760, and
J210761
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
propeller governors, part numbers (P/
Ns) C210776, T210761, D210760, and
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:02 Mar 12, 2010
Jkt 220001
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–
2010–0102; Directorate Identifier 2010–
NE–09–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 https://
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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 https://
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 (telephone (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
We received three reports of failure of
Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing,
Inc. propeller governors. One of the
reports was of a Diamond DA–40
airplane losing propeller pitch control
during flight. The propeller governor
controls propeller pitch by regulating oil
pressure to the propeller pitch change
mechanism. Changes in governor oil
pressure are made by small changes in
axial displacement of the governor’s
pilot valve plunger assembly. A fly
weight governor opposes a compressed
spring that rides on a collar which forms
a part of the pilot valve plunger
assembly. Investigation revealed that the
set screw securing the collar to the pilot
valve plunger assembly shaft may not be
installed properly on a batch of parts
permitting the pilot valve plunger to
float on the shaft. The pilot valve shaft
plunger and captive thrust bearing are
then free to move axially along the pilot
valve shaft. When the pilot valve is
unconstrained in the axial direction, the
propeller governor cannot control oil
pressure to the propeller pitch control
mechanism. This results in a loss of
propeller pitch control. Further,
concurrent thrust bearing failure
permits bearing debris to flow with the
oil into the engine lubrication system.
The engine in the incident airplane was
internally damaged as a result of a
E:\FR\FM\15MRP1.SGM
15MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 49 / Monday, March 15, 2010 / Proposed Rules
propeller governor bearing ball
becoming lodged between the valve
lifter and engine case. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in loss of
propeller pitch control, damage to the
propeller governor, and internal damage
to the engine, which could prevent
continued safe flight or safe landing.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the
technical contents of Ontic Engineering
and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) No. SB–DES–
353, Revision A, dated December 16,
2009. That MSB lists the affected
propeller governors by P/N and S/N,
and describes procedures for returning
them to the manufacturer for repair.
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 removal of
affected propeller governors from
service. The proposed AD would require
you to use the service information
described previously to identify the
affected S/Ns of propeller governors.
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 45 propeller governors
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about four work-hours per airplane to
perform the proposed actions, and that
the average labor rate is $85 per workhour. Required repair parts would cost
about $842 per propeller governor.
Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost of the proposed AD to U.S.
operators to be $83,790. Our cost
estimate is exclusive of possible
warranty coverage.
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
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:02 Mar 12, 2010
Jkt 220001
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
safety, 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
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.:
Docket No. FAA–2010–0102; Directorate
Identifier 2010–NE–09–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) action by May
14, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Ontic Engineering
and Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors,
part numbers (P/Ns) C210776, T210761,
D210760, and J210761, as listed by serial
number on pages 3 and 4 of Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. SB–
DES–353, Revision A, dated December 16,
2009.
(d) These propeller governors are installed
on, but not limited to, American Champion
Aircraft Corporation Model 7GCAA (governor
P/N T210761), Diamond Aircraft Industries,
Inc. Model DA–40 (governor P/N C210776),
Hawker Beechcraft Model A36 (governor
P/N D210760), and Industria Aeronautica
Neiva S/A (subsidiary of Embraer) model
EMB–202A (governor P/N J210761) airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from three reports
received of failed propeller governors. We are
issuing this AD to prevent loss of propeller
pitch control, damage to the propeller
governor, and internal damage to the engine,
which could prevent continued safe flight or
safe landing.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
100 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, unless the actions have already been
done.
(g) Remove affected propeller governors
from service.
(h) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install an affected propeller governor
unless it has been inspected, repaired, and
permanently marked with ‘‘SB–DES–353 Rev.
A Date * * *.’’ near the data plate, by Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
Related Information
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
§ 39.13
12149
(j) Contact Roger Pesuit, Aerospace
Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712;
e-mail: roger.pesuit@faa.gov; telephone (562)
627–5251, fax (562) 627–5210, for more
information about this AD.
(k) Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing,
Inc. MSB No. SB–DES–353, Revision A,
dated December 16, 2009, pertains to the
subject of this AD. Contact Ontic Engineering
and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 Plummer
Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail:
Bill.nolan@ontic.com; telephone (818) 725–
2323; fax (818) 725–2535; or e-mail:
Susan.hunt@ontic.com; telephone (818) 725–
2121; fax (818) 725–2535, or on the Web at
https://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB–DES–
353_Rev_A.pdf for a copy of this service
information.
E:\FR\FM\15MRP1.SGM
15MRP1
12150
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 49 / Monday, March 15, 2010 / Proposed Rules
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
March 5, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
[FR Doc. 2010–5549 Filed 3–12–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2010–0250; Directorate
Identifier 2010–CE–011–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS
Aircraft Ltd. Model PC–7 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed
AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
SUMMARY:
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is
prompted due to the discovery of corrosion
at the bonding strap connections on the left
and right lower longerons between fuselage
frames 1 and 1A. The possibility of corrosion
is increased because of the high electrical
current flow between the tinned copper
terminal lug of the bonding strap and the
aluminum longeron.
Such a condition, if left uncorrected, could
lead to failure of the longeron and will
prejudice the structural integrity of the
aircraft.
The proposed AD would require actions
that are intended to address the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 29, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:02 Mar 12, 2010
Jkt 220001
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
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 proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–
4059; fax: (816) 329–4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2010–0250; Directorate Identifier
2010–CE–011–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation
(FOCA), which is the aviation authority
for Switzerland, has issued FOCA AD
HB–2010–001, dated February 12, 2010
(referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to
correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is
prompted due to the discovery of corrosion
at the bonding strap connections on the left
and right lower longerons between fuselage
frames 1 and 1A. The possibility of corrosion
is increased because of the high electrical
current flow between the tinned copper
terminal lug of the bonding strap and the
aluminum longeron.
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Such a condition, if left uncorrected, could
lead to failure of the longeron and will
prejudice the structural integrity of the
aircraft. In order to correct and control the
situation, this AD requires a one time
inspection of the longeron structure and the
terminal lugs of the bonding straps for signs
of corrosion.
For left and right lower longerons where
corrosion is found during the
inspection, the MCAI also requires
repair of any longeron where corrosion
is found. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. has issued
PILATUS PC–7 Service Bulletin No. 53–
007, dated January 5, 2010. The actions
described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, they have notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this
AD because we evaluated all
information and determined the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences between this Proposed AD
and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and
related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But
we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI
to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making
these changes, we do not intend to differ
substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related
service information.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
will affect 10 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about 4.5 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of
this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $3,825, or $383 per
product.
In addition, we estimate that any
necessary follow-on actions would take
E:\FR\FM\15MRP1.SGM
15MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12148-12150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5549]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0102; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing,
Inc. Propeller Governors, Part Numbers C210776, T210761, D210760, and
J210761
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of Ontic Engineering and
Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors, part numbers (P/Ns) C210776,
T210761, D210760, and J210761. This proposed AD would require removal
of the affected propeller governors from service. This proposed AD
results from three reports received of failed propeller governors. We
are proposing this AD to prevent loss of propeller pitch control,
damage to the propeller governor, and internal damage to the engine,
which could prevent continued safe flight or safe landing.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 14,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the 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.
Contact Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 Plummer
Sreet, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail: Bill.nolan@ontic.com; telephone
(818) 725-2323; fax (818) 725-2535; or e-mail: Susan.hunt@ontic.com;
telephone (818) 725-2121; fax (818) 725-2535, or on the Web at https://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB-DES-353_Rev_A.pdf for a copy of the service
information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail:
roger.pesuit@faa.gov; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210.
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-2010-0102; Directorate
Identifier 2010-NE-09-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 https://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 https://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 (telephone (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
We received three reports of failure of Ontic Engineering and
Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors. One of the reports was of a
Diamond DA-40 airplane losing propeller pitch control during flight.
The propeller governor controls propeller pitch by regulating oil
pressure to the propeller pitch change mechanism. Changes in governor
oil pressure are made by small changes in axial displacement of the
governor's pilot valve plunger assembly. A fly weight governor opposes
a compressed spring that rides on a collar which forms a part of the
pilot valve plunger assembly. Investigation revealed that the set screw
securing the collar to the pilot valve plunger assembly shaft may not
be installed properly on a batch of parts permitting the pilot valve
plunger to float on the shaft. The pilot valve shaft plunger and
captive thrust bearing are then free to move axially along the pilot
valve shaft. When the pilot valve is unconstrained in the axial
direction, the propeller governor cannot control oil pressure to the
propeller pitch control mechanism. This results in a loss of propeller
pitch control. Further, concurrent thrust bearing failure permits
bearing debris to flow with the oil into the engine lubrication system.
The engine in the incident airplane was internally damaged as a result
of a
[[Page 12149]]
propeller governor bearing ball becoming lodged between the valve
lifter and engine case. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in loss of propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller governor,
and internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued safe
flight or safe landing.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB)
No. SB-DES-353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009. That MSB lists the
affected propeller governors by P/N and S/N, and describes procedures
for returning them to the manufacturer for repair.
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
removal of affected propeller governors from service. The proposed AD
would require you to use the service information described previously
to identify the affected S/Ns of propeller governors.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 45 propeller
governors installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate
that it would take about four work-hours per airplane to perform the
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Required repair parts would cost about $842 per propeller governor.
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD
to U.S. operators to be $83,790. Our cost estimate is exclusive of
possible warranty coverage.
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 safety, 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:
Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0102;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-09-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by May 14,
2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
propeller governors, part numbers (P/Ns) C210776, T210761, D210760,
and J210761, as listed by serial number on pages 3 and 4 of Ontic
Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB)
No. SB-DES-353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009.
(d) These propeller governors are installed on, but not limited
to, American Champion Aircraft Corporation Model 7GCAA (governor P/N
T210761), Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc. Model DA-40 (governor P/
N C210776), Hawker Beechcraft Model A36 (governor P/N D210760), and
Industria Aeronautica Neiva S/A (subsidiary of Embraer) model EMB-
202A (governor P/N J210761) airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from three reports received of failed
propeller governors. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of
propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller governor, and
internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued safe
flight or safe landing.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within 100 flight hours after the effective date of
this AD, unless the actions have already been done.
(g) Remove affected propeller governors from service.
(h) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an
affected propeller governor unless it has been inspected, repaired,
and permanently marked with ``SB-DES-353 Rev. A Date * * *.'' near
the data plate, by Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Los Angeles 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.
Related Information
(j) Contact Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail:
roger.pesuit@faa.gov; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210,
for more information about this AD.
(k) Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. MSB No. SB-DES-
353, Revision A, dated December 16, 2009, pertains to the subject of
this AD. Contact Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400
Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail: Bill.nolan@ontic.com;
telephone (818) 725-2323; fax (818) 725-2535; or e-mail:
Susan.hunt@ontic.com; telephone (818) 725-2121; fax (818) 725-2535,
or on the Web at https://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB-DES-353_Rev_A.pdf for
a copy of this service information.
[[Page 12150]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 5, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5549 Filed 3-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P