Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc., Model HD-E6C-3( ) Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67104-67106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27739]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NE-43-AD; Amendment 39-12933; AD 2002-22-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc., Model HD-E6C-
3( ) Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3( ) propellers. 
This action requires replacement of the current design propeller blade 
thrust bearing with a new design propeller blade thrust bearing and 
visual and eddy current inspection (ECI) of propeller hubs for cracks. 
This amendment is prompted by reports of fractured thrust bearings 
observed during disassembly, one or more blades becoming jammed in 
position during operation, pitch change fork fractures causing loss of 
blade pitch control, and excessive vibration. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent loss of aircraft control due to loss of 
blade pitch control, inability to fully feather the propeller, hub 
fracture, and blade release.

DATES: Effective November 19, 2002. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of November 19, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-43-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location, by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via 
the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the 
subject line. The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Hartzell Propeller Inc., Technical Publications 
Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-
4200; fax (937) 778-4365. This information may be examined, by 
appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
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.

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: The FAA and Hartzell Propeller Inc. have 
been reviewing and investigating reports of current design propeller 
blade thrust bearings, P/N's C-2882-1, C-2882-2, and C-7075, found 
fractured during disassembly, one or more blades becoming jammed in 
position during operation, pitch change fork fractures causing loss of 
blade pitch control, and excessive vibration. The current design thrust 
bearings have demonstrated a tendency to have brittle fracture and 
reduced strength characteristics, for which the cause has yet to be 
determined. This action requires replacement of the current design 
propeller blade thrust bearings, P/N's C-2882-1, C-2882-2, and C-7075, 
with a new design propeller blade thrust bearing, P/N C-7438, and a 10X 
magnification-assisted visual inspection and ECI of propeller hubs for 
cracks. This amendment is prompted by reports of fractured thrust 
bearings observed during disassembly, one or more blades becoming 
jammed in position during operation, pitch change fork fractures 
causing loss of blade pitch control, and excessive vibration. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of aircraft control 
due to loss of blade pitch control, inability to fully feather the 
propeller, hub fracture, and blade release.

Manufacturer's Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of the 
following Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletins (ASB's):
    [sbull] ASB HD-ASB-61-026, dated August 6, 2001, that describes the 
schedule and procedures for replacing P/N's C-2882-1, C-2882-2, and C-
7075 propeller thrust bearings with blade thrust bearing P/N C-7438.
    [sbull] ASB HD-ASB-61-023, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2001, that 
describes procedures for 10X magnification-assisted visual inspections 
of the O-ring groove and hub-half and parting surface areas and ECI 
inspections of propeller hubs, P/N D-5108-( ), for cracks in the 
bearing retention radius.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Required Actions

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3( ) 
propellers of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent 
loss of aircraft control due to loss of blade pitch control, inability 
to fully feather the propeller, hub fracture, and blade release. This 
AD requires within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, or nine months after the effective date of this AD, or 
when the propeller is next disassembled after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs earliest:
    [sbull] Replacement of the current design propeller blade thrust 
bearings P/N's C-2882-1, C-2882-2, and C-7075 with a new design 
propeller blade thrust bearing P/N C-7438.
    [sbull] 10X Magnification-assisted visual inspections and ECI of 
propeller hubs for cracks.


[[Page 67105]]


The actions must be done in accordance with the service bulletins 
described previously.

Immediate Adoption of This AD

    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NE-43-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-22-08 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-12933. Docket No. 
2001-NE-43-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3( ) propellers. These 
propellers are installed on, but not limited to Fairchild Dornier 
GmbH 328-100 series airplanes.

    Note 1: The parentheses indicate the presence or absence of an 
additional letter(s) which vary the basic propeller blade model 
designation. This AD still applies regardless of whether these 
letters are present or absent on the propeller blade model 
designation.


    Note 2: 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 (d) 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.

    Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent loss of aircraft control due to loss of blade pitch 
control, inability to fully feather the propeller, hub fracture, and 
blade release, do the following:

Replacement of Propeller Blade Thrust Bearings

    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, or nine months after the effective date of this AD, 
or when the propeller is next disassembled after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs earliest, do the following:
    (1) Replace all propeller blade thrust bearings, part numbers 
(P/N's) C-2882-1, C-2882-2, and C-7075, with thrust bearings P/N C-
7438, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hartzell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HD-SB-61-026, 
dated August 6, 2001.
    (2) Perform a visual inspection of the propeller hub for cracks, 
in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Hartzell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HD-ASB-61-023, Revision 1, 
dated May 23, 2001. Before further flight, remove from service 
cracked propeller hubs and replace with a serviceable hub.
    (3) Perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of the propeller 
hub for cracks, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hartzell ASB HD-ASB-61-023, Revision 1, dated May 
23, 2001. Before further flight, remove from service cracked 
propeller hubs and replace with a serviceable hub.
    (b) Propellers that have had blade thrust bearings replaced 
using Hartzell ASB HD-ASB-61-026, dated August 6, 2001, or Hartzell 
Service Letter HD-SL-61-034, dated May 7, 2001, are considered to be 
in compliance with paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
    (c) After the effective date of this AD, do not install 
propeller blade thrust bearings P/N's C-2882-1, C-2882-2, or C-7075 
into any HD-E6C-3( ) Hartzell propeller models.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 (ACO). Operators must submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago ACO.


[[Page 67106]]



Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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 airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated by Reference

    (f) The replacement and inspections must be done in accordance 
with the following Hartzell service bulletin and alert service 
bulletins:

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            Document No.                       Pages                  Revision                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASB HD-ASB-61-023...................  All....................  1.....................  May 23, 2001.
    Total pages: 11
ASB HD-ASB-61-026...................  All....................  Original..............  Aug. 6, 2001.
    Total pages: 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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., Technical 
Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; 
telephone: (937) 778-4200; fax: (937) 778-4365. Copies may be 
inspected, by appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of 
the Regional 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.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 19, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 25, 2002.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27739 Filed 11-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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