Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. ()HC-()()Y()-() Series Propellers

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. ()HC-()()Y()-()

Series Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 50782]]

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Hartzell Propeller Inc.

()HC-()()Y()-() series propellers, identified by hub serial numbers,

that were returned to service by Brothers Aero Services Company, Inc.

(BASCO). This proposal would require maintenance actions amounting to

an overhaul of affected propellers. This proposal is prompted by

reports of propellers returned to service by BASCO as overhauled that

had numerous unsafe conditions after being returned to service by

BASCO. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent

propeller failure from the conditions present after being returned to

service by BASCO, and possible airplane loss of control.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD, 12 New England

Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent

via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ane-

[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the

docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from Hartzell Propeller Inc., Technical Publications

Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-

4200, fax (937) 778-4365.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer,

Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,

2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-

7031, fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed 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 above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal 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 99-NE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD, 12 New England Executive Park,

Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has examined the results

of teardown inspections of six Hartzell Propeller Inc ()HC-()()Y()-()

series propellers returned to service as overhauled by Brothers Aero

Services Company, Inc. (BASCO) that contained numerous unsafe

conditions. BASCO, formerly Air Agency Certificate Number B4TR903J, had

their certificate revoked by Amended Order of Revocation, dated May 12,

1999. The investigation further revealed that an additional 71 specific

propellers had been returned to service by BASCO from November 1996

through October 1998 that potentially have the same conditions present.

In total, 77 specific propellers have been identified by hub serial

number (S/N). The following unsafe conditions have been found with

propellers returned to service by BASCO:

1. BASCO either introduced or failed to remove potential failure

sites (nicks and scratches) in the shank area of the blades,

2. BASCO failed to perform a cold rolling operation on propeller

blade shanks,

3. Scratches were found in the blade internal bearing bore radius,

4. Blades were found to be below minimum dimensions,

5. Alodine and paint were applied over corrosion on hubs and

blades,

6. Low pitch blade angles were out of specification,

7. The blade surface, beneath the de-ice boots, was not painted nor

treated with a chemical conversion coating (Alodine),

8. Bolts were incorrectly torqued,

9. Wrong parts were used or parts were incorrectly installed,

10. Parts intended for removal from service at overhaul and to be

replaced with new, unused parts, were reused.

These conditions, if not corrected, could result in propeller failure

from the conditions present after being returned to serve by BASCO, and

possible airplane loss of control.

Proposed Actions

Since unsafe conditions have been identified that are likely to

exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the

proposed AD would require maintenance actions that amount to an

overhaul of the affected propellers, identified by hub S/N. One of the

required actions is a cold rolling operation on the blade shanks, which

is part of the manufacturer's recommended overhaul. Not all propeller

repair facilities have the equipment to properly perform this

operation. Additionally, repair facilities must first be qualified by

the manufacturer to perform the process and then repetitively requalify

and recalibrate the machine used in the process.

Economic Analysis

The FAA estimates that 77 propellers installed on aircraft of U.S.

registry would be affected by this proposed AD and that it would cost

on average approximately $1,300 to overhaul each propeller. Based on

these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $100,100.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed

regulation (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

[[Page 50783]]

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for

this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be

obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under

the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD.

Applicability: Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )( )Y( )-( )

series propellers, identified by hub serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in

Table 1 of this airworthiness directive (AD).

Table 1.--Hub Serial Numbers

121, 251, 715, 1111, 1387, 1661, 2383, 2479, 2883, 3059, 3343, 3479,

3717, 3890, 3990, 4690, and 5523

AM911

AN1309, AN2773, AN2826, AN2828, and AN3883

AU42, AU696, AU814, AU992, AU1226, AU1290, AU1416, AU2641, AU2643,

AU2658, AU2699, AU2847, AU7186E, AU8364A, AU8418A and AU12997

BP344, BP715, BP1276, BP1772, BP2121, BP3811, BP3763, BP3978,

BP5674, BP6126, BP6194, BP7141, BP7297, BP7513, BP8199, BP8708, and

BP9586

CH6190 & CH19251

CJ52, CJ54, CJ419, and CJ649

DA1404 and DA1418

DG101

DJ4431, DJ4449, DJ9521A, DJ10407A, DJ11249A, DJ11880A, and DJ11881A

DN3775

DV11 and DV12

FH307

P560

Note 1: This 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 request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Note 2: This AD is limited to propellers returned to service

from November 1996 to October 1998 by Brothers Aero Service Company,

Inc. (BASCO), Air Agency Certificate Number B4TR903J, revoked by

Amended Order of Revocation, dated May 12, 1999.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent propeller failure from the conditions present after

being returned to service by BASCO, and possible airplane loss of

control, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of

this AD, accomplish the following:

(1) Disassemble,

(2) Clean,

(3) Inspect for the following:

(i) Nicks,

(ii) Scratches,

(iii) Failure of blades to meet minimum dimensions,

(iv) Alodine and/or paint applied over corrosion,

(v) Lack of chemical conversion coating applied beneath the de-

ice boots,

(vi) Bolts incorrectly torqued,

(vii) Incorrect parts,

(viii) Incorrect installation of parts, and

(ix) Reinstallation of parts intended for one-time use.

(4) Repair and replace with serviceable parts, as necessary.

(5) Perform a cold roll operation on the blade shanks,

(6) Reassemble and test.

Note 3: Information on performing an overhaul of the affected

propellers may be found in the applicable Hartzell Propeller Inc.

Overhaul Manual.

Note 4: For a current list of propeller overhaul facilities

approved to perform the blade shank cold rolling procedure contact

Hartzell Product Support, telephone (937) 778-4379. Not all

propeller repair facilities have the equipment to properly perform a

cold roll of the blade shanks.

(b) 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. Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate

FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

Note 5: 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.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 13, 1999.

Jay J. Pardee,

Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-24461 Filed 9-17-99; 8:45 am]

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