Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Five-Blade Propeller Assemblies, 34390-34391 [2010-14706]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34390-34391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14706]



[[Page 34390]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22690; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-35-AD
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Five-Blade 
Propeller Assemblies

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for certain McCauley Propeller Systems propeller 
assemblies. That AD currently requires removing certain propeller hubs 
from service at new, reduced life limits and eddy current inspections 
(ECIs) of the propeller hub. This proposed AD would require removing 
certain propeller hubs from service before they exceed 6,000 hours 
time-since-new (TSN). This proposed AD results from a report of a crack 
in a propeller hub. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracked 
propeller hubs, which could cause failure of the propeller hub, blade 
separation, and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 16, 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209, telephone: (316) 946-
4148; fax: (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22690; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-35-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

    The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 by superseding AD 2005-24-
08, Amendment 39-14388. (70 FR 71756, November 30, 2005). That AD 
requires:
     Removing any propeller hub from service that is currently, 
or ever was, operated on an engine with a water-methanol assist system, 
not later than 6,000 hours time-in-service (TIS).
     Removing any other propeller hub from service not later 
than 18,000 hours TIS.
     Removing any propeller hub from service that exceeds its 
life limit on the effective date of this AD, within 50 hours TIS after 
the effective date of this AD.
     That any propeller hub removed from service after 
exceeding its life limit must not be returned to service on any 
installation.
     For all installed propeller hubs, performing an ECI within 
200 hours TIS or 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first.
     Thereafter, for all installed propeller hubs with 12,000 
or more hours TIS, performing repetitive ECIs within 1,800 hours TIS or 
12 months, whichever occurs first.
    That AD was the result of three reports of cracked propeller hubs. 
That condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
propeller hub, blade separation, and loss of control of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2005-24-08 Was Issued

    Since that AD was issued, we received a report of a cracked 
propeller hub. The cracked hub was found during the propeller 
inspection or overhaul processes on a propeller assembly removed from a 
Jetstream 41 airplane. The cracked hub has 7,807 hours TSN. The life 
limit of the hub is 18,000 hours TSN. The crack was found on the rear 
of the hub, on the propeller mounting flange. The crack originated from 
the bottom of a large (0.63-inch) dowel hole. To date, we have received 
no other field reports of cracked hubs or occurrences of propeller hub 
failure and separation attributed to this particular unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed and approved the technical contents of McCauley Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB250A, dated February 12, 2010. This ASB 
introduces new lower life limits for the propeller hubs identified in 
this AD.

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. For that reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require:
     Removing from service the hub of any propeller assembly, 
P/N B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-
0, or C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, if the hub exceeds 6,000 hours TSN on the 
effective date of this AD, within 250 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD.

[[Page 34391]]

     Removing from service the hub of any propeller assembly, 
P/N B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-
0, or C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, if the hub has fewer than 6,000 hours 
TSN, not later than 6,000 hours TSN.
    The proposed AD would require that you do these actions using the 
service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 30 propeller 
assemblies installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate 
that it would take about 42 work-hours per propeller assembly to 
perform the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $6,000 per propeller 
assembly. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the 
proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $287,100.

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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 removing Amendment 39-14388. (70 
FR 71756, November 30, 2005) and by adding a new airworthiness 
directive to read as follows:

McCauley Propeller Systems: Docket No. FAA-2005-22690; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NE-35-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by August 16, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-24-08, Amendment 39-14388.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems propeller 
assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/
L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0. These 
propeller assemblies are installed on BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Jetstream Model 4100 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a cracked propeller hub. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent cracked propeller hubs, which could 
cause failure of the propeller hub, blade separation, 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.

Propeller Hub Reduced Life Limits

    (f) For any propeller assembly, P/N B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, 
C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, or C5JFR36C1104/
L114HCA-0, with a hub that exceeds 6,000 hours time-since-new (TSN) 
on the effective date of this AD, remove the propeller hub from 
service within 250 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (g) For any propeller assembly, P/N B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, 
C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, or C5JFR36C1104/
L114HCA-0, with a hub with fewer than 6,000 hours TSN, remove the 
propeller hub from service not later than 6,000 hours TSN.

Prohibition of Hubs Exceeding Life Limit

    (h) After the effective date of this AD, don't install any hub 
removed from any propeller assembly that was removed by paragraphs 
(f) or (g) of this AD into any propeller assembly.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) 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.

Related Information

    (j) Contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209, telephone: (316) 946-4148; fax: 
(316) 946-4107, for more information about this AD.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 14, 2010.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14706 Filed 6-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P