Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM Series Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35155-35157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14675]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-ANE-06-AD; Amendment 39-13190; AD 2003-12-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM 
Series Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), that is applicable to McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM series 
propellers. That AD currently requires an initial inspection for cracks 
in the propeller hub in accordance with a dye penetrant inspection 
procedure, replacement of propellers with cracks that do not meet 
acceptable limits, rework of propellers with cracks that meet 
acceptable limits, and repetitive inspections of all affected 
propellers. This amendment allows additional rework operations to be 
performed at more than one bolt hole location. This amendment is 
prompted by the need to clarify the requirement to use a steel backing 
plate and Mylar gasket during installation of the propeller, and to 
relax the replacement requirements. The actions specified in the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent propeller separation due to hub 
fatigue cracking, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 17, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of July 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from McCauley Propeller Systems, 3535 McCauley Drive, PO 
Drawer 5053, Vandalia, OH 45377-5053; telephone: 937-890-5246; fax: 
937-890-6001. 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: Timothy Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2350 East Devon Avenue, Room 323, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: 
(847) 294-7132; fax: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-06-16, 
Amendment 39-9973 (62 FR 16064, April 4, 1997), which is applicable to 
McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM series propellers, was published 
in the Federal Register on September 27, 2002 (67 FR 61043). That 
action proposed to require:
    [sbull] An initial inspection for cracks in the propeller hub in 
accordance with a dye penetrant inspection procedure.
    [sbull] Replacement of propellers with cracks that do not meet 
acceptable limits.
    [sbull] Rework of propellers with cracks that meet acceptable 
limits.
    [sbull] Painting of the propeller hub before installation of the 
propeller.
    [sbull] Repetitive inspections of all affected propellers.
    [sbull] Installation of a steel backing plate and Mylar gasket 
during installation of the propeller.

These actions must be done in accordance with McCauley Propeller 
Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 221C, dated September 7, 1999.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter agrees with the NPRM as written.

[[Page 35156]]

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 6,100 propellers of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that approximately 3,000 
propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD. The FAA also estimates that it will take approximately 3 work 
hours per propeller to perform the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $17 per propeller. Based on these figures, the total cost 
of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $591,000 per year.

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-9973 (62 FR 16064, 
April 4, 1997) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 
39-13190, to read as follows:

2003-12-05 McCauley Propeller Systems: Amendment 39-13190. Docket 
No. 97-ANE-06-AD. Supersedes AD 97-06-16, Amendment 39-9973.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM series propellers with 
numeric serial numbers 770001 through 777390; and propellers with 
alphanumeric serial numbers BC001 up to, but not including KC001. 
These propellers are installed on but not limited to Cessna 152, 
Cessna A152, Reims F152, and Reims FA152 series airplanes. All 
alphanumeric serial number propellers beginning with the letters 
``B'' through ``J'' are affected by this AD.

    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 (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 
below, unless already done.
    To prevent propeller separation due to hub fatigue cracking, 
which can result in loss of control of the airplane, do the 
following:

Inspection and Rework Requirements

    (a) Inspect propellers, rework or replace with a serviceable 
propeller, as necessary, and install in accordance with Sections II, 
III, IV, and V of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 221C, dated September 7, 1999, as follows:
    (1) For propellers with 3,000 or more hours time-in-service 
(TIS), or unknown TIS, on the effective date of this AD, as follows:
    (i) If not already done, perform an initial dye penetrant 
inspection in accordance with Section II of the ASB before further 
flight.
    (ii) Thereafter, perform repetitive dye penetrant inspections in 
accordance with Section IV of the ASB at intervals not to exceed 800 
hours TIS, or 12 calendar months since last dye penetrant 
inspection, whichever occurs first.
    (iii) If cracks are discovered that are not within the rework 
limits described in Section III of the ASB, before further flight 
remove the propeller from service and replace with a serviceable 
propeller.
    (iv) If cracks are discovered that are within the rework limits 
described in Section III of the ASB, before further flight rework 
the propeller in accordance with Section III of the ASB, and resume 
inspecting repetitively in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of 
this AD.
    (2) For propellers with less than 3,000 hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD, upon accumulating 3,000 hours TIS perform 
the steps required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iv) of this 
AD.
    (b) Paint camber side of the propeller in accordance with 
Section II or Section III of the ASB.
    (c) Install propeller in accordance with Section V of the ASB.

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

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the CHIACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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 inspections, rework and replacement must be done in 
accordance with McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 221C, dated September 7, 1999. 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 McCauley Propeller Systems, 3535 McCauley Drive, PO 
Drawer 5053, Vandalia, OH 45377-5053; telephone: 937-890-5246; fax: 
937-890-6001. Copies may be inspected 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 July 17, 2003.


[[Page 35157]]


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 4, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-14675 Filed 6-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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