Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9518-9520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-60-AD; Amendment 39-13071; AD 2003-04-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HD-E6C-
3B/E13890K Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K 
propellers with certain serial numbers of model D-1199-2 propeller 
control units (PCU's) installed. This amendment requires initial and 
repetitive inspections for below-limit propeller flight idle blade 
angles, and, as a terminating action, removal of the affected PCU's 
from service and performance of a complete Major Periodic Inspection 
(overhaul) when the applicable time-since-new or time-since-overhaul 
limit is reached, or when any flight idle blade angle is below limits. 
This amendment is prompted by a review by Hartzell Propeller Inc. of 
the model D-1199-2 PCU overhaul procedures, that revealed several 
dimensional checks and a nondestructive evaluation were not performed 
on certain serial number PCU's during a Major Periodic Inspection 
(overhaul). The overhaul procedures are required to comply with the 
Airworthiness Limitation PCU Major Periodic Inspection (overhaul) 
directive. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
below-limit flight idle propeller blade angles that, if not corrected, 
could result in degraded aircraft performance and control.

DATES: Effective April 4, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of April 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: 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) 778-4391. This information may be examined, by 
appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K 
propellers with certain serial numbers of model D-1199-2 PCU's 
installed was published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2002 (67 
FR 64322). That action proposed to require initial and repetitive 
inspections for below-limit propeller flight idle blade angles, and, as 
a terminating action, removal of the affected PCU's from service and 
performance of a complete Major Periodic Inspection (overhaul) when the 
applicable time-since-new or time-since-overhaul limit is reached, or 
when any flight idle blade angle is below limits in accordance with 
Hartzell Service Bulletin No. (SB) HD-SB-61-025, dated November 7, 
2002, or SB No. HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 78 Hartzell Propeller Inc. model D-1199-2 
PCU's of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates 
that 50 PCU's installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this AD. The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 1.5 
work hours per propeller to perform the initial inspections, 25 work 
hours per propeller to perform the PCU replacements, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $7,321 per propeller. Based on these figures, the total 
cost of initial inspections of this AD to U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $4,500, and the total cost of replacement of the affected PCU's 
to U.S. operators is estimated to be $441,050.

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.

[[Page 9519]]

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 a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2003-04-22 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-13071. Docket No. 
2000-NE-60-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propellers with 
certain serial numbers of model D-1199-2 Propeller Control Units 
(PCU's) installed, as listed in Table 1 of this AD. These propellers 
are installed on, but not limited to Fairchild Dornier GmbH 328-100 
series airplanes.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (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 (g) 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 below-limit flight idle propeller blade angles that, 
if not corrected, could result in degraded aircraft performance and 
control, do the following:

Initial and Repetitive Inspection Requirements

    (a) On PCU's listed by serial number in the following Table 1 of 
this AD, at the next ``2A'' maintenance check, but no later than 600 
hours time-in-service from the effective date of this AD, perform an 
initial flight idle blade angle inspection, in accordance with 
paragraph 2A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Hartzell Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000. 
Table 1 follows:

                             Table 1.--Affected Serial Numbers, Model D-1199-2 PCU's
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PCU-A-29               PCU-A-EFS140           PCU-A-EFS194           PCU-A-EFS234           PCU-A-EFS284
----------------------
PCU-A-31               PCU-A-EFS141           PCU-A-EFS204           PCU-A-EFS236           PCU-A-EFS290
----------------------
PCU-A-44               PCU-A-EFS144           PCU-A-EFS207           PCU-A-EFS239           PCU-A-EFS292
----------------------
PCU-A-46               PCU-A-EFS152           PCU-A-EFS208           PCU-A-EFS242           PCU-A-EFS293
----------------------
PCU-A-53               PCU-A-EFS155           PCU-A-EFS210           PCU-A-EFS244           PCU-A-EFS294
----------------------
PCU-A-54               PCU-A-EFS158           PCU-A-EFS212           PCU-A-EFS245           PCU-A-EFS302
----------------------
PCU-A-57               PCU-A-EFS160           PCU-A-EFS213           PCU-A-EFS246           PCU-A-EFS307
----------------------
PCU-A-58               PCU-A-EFS162           PCU-A-EFS214           PCU-A-EFS249           PCU-A-EFS319
----------------------
PCU-A-59               PCU-A-EFS165           PCU-A-EFS218           PCU-A-EFS250           PCU-A-EFS320
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS101           PCU-A-EFS182           PCU-A-EFS220           PCU-A-EFS257           PCU-A-EFS326
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS106           PCU-A-EFS184           PCU-A-EFS223           PCU-A-EFS261           PCU-A-EFS328
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS109           PCU-A-EFS185           PCU-A-EFS224           PCU-A-EFS266           PCU-A-EFS330
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS110           PCU-A-EFS187           PCU-A-EFS225           PCU-A-EFS268           PCU-A-EFS340
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS111           PCU-A-EFS188           PCU-A-EFS226           PCU-A-EFS269           PCU-A-EFS347
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS120           PCU-A-EFS192           PCU-A-EFS228           PCU-A-EFS271
----------------------
PCU-A-EFS122           PCU-A-EFS193           PCU-A-EFS233           PCU-A-EFS279
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Remove PCU's that fail the inspection in paragraph (a) of 
this AD and perform a Major Periodic Inspection (overhaul), in 
accordance with paragraphs 2.B. and 2.C. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hartzell SB No. HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated 
December 20, 2000, or replace with a serviceable PCU.
    (c) Thereafter, at each successive ``4A'' maintenance check, but 
not to exceed 1,200 hours time-in-service, perform the flight idle 
blade angle inspection until the limiting time-since-overhaul or 
time-since-new is reached, as specified in Hartzell SB HD-SB-61-025, 
Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000.
    (d) Remove PCU's that fail the inspection in paragraph (c) of 
this AD and perform a Major Periodic Inspection (overhaul), in 
accordance with paragraphs 2.B. and 2.C. of Hartzell SB No. HD-SB-
61-025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000, or replace with a 
serviceable PCU.
    (e) Once the limiting time-since-overhaul or time-since-new 
specified in Hartzell SB HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated December 
20, 2000 is reached, remove the PCU from service and perform a Major 
Periodic Inspection (overhaul), in accordance with paragraphs 2.B. 
and 2.C. of Hartzell SB HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 
2000.

Optional Terminating Action

    (f) Replacement with a serviceable PCU is terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (c) of this AD. 
For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable PCU is one that is not 
listed in Table 1 of this AD, or is one listed in Table 1 of this AD 
that has undergone a Major Periodic Inspection (overhaul) after 
November 17, 2000, in

[[Page 9520]]

accordance with paragraphs 2.B. and 2.C. of Hartzell SB HD-SB-61-
025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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). An alternative method of compliance to Hartzell SB HD-
SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2000, is compliance with 
Hartzell SB HD-SB-61-025, dated November 17, 2000. 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (h) 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

    (i) The inspections must be done in accordance with Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin HD-SB-61-025, Revision 1, dated 
December 20, 2000. 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-
4391. 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

    (j) This amendment becomes effective on April 4, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 19, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4483 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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