Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Aerospace Propellers, Models R354, R375, R389, and R390 Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10152-10154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-18-AD; Amendment 39-13074; AD 2003-04-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Aerospace Propellers, Models 
R354, R375, R389, and R390 Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 10153]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to Dowty Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-
123-F/20, R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and R390/
4-123-F/27 propellers. This amendment requires a one-time inspection of 
the hub joint mating surfaces for fretting. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of fretting on the joint mating faces of propeller hubs. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the hub 
due to loose hub through bolts.

DATES: Effective April 8, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Dowty Aerospace Propellers, Anson Business Park, 
Cheltenham Road, East Gloucester GL2 9QN, UK; telephone 44 (0) 1452 
716000; fax 44 (0) 1452 716001. 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: Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (781) 238-7158; fax (781) 238-7170.

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 Dowty Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-
F/20, R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and R390/4-
123-F/27 propellers was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 
2002 (67 FR 13294). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of the hub joint mating surfaces for fretting in accordance 
with Dowty Aerospace Propellers Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SF340-
61-96, dated April 18, 2000. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued 
AD 005-04-2000 in order to ensure the airworthiness of these Dowty 
propellers in the United Kingdom (UK).

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter states that extensive experience and service history 
had been recorded while operating a large fleet of aircraft in excess 
of 25,000 flight hours over the past 17 years. The operator states that 
the AD would impose undue cost and maintenance requirements that would 
not increase the propeller safety or reliability, and that the AD would 
not do anything positive such as eliminating the problem or creating a 
safer hub component.
    The FAA does not agree with the commenter. The FAA considers the 
one-time inspection to be a necessary safety-related inspection to 
guard against possible propeller hub failure as the result of loss of 
hub bolt preload torque that may well foster hub cracking and complete 
propeller loss.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 418 Dowty Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-
F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/
26, and R390/4-123-F/27 propellers, of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 169 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 6 work hours per propeller to perform the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There 
are no required parts per propeller. Based on these figures, the total 
cost of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be $60,840.

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

    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:
2003-04-25 Dowty Aerospace Propellers: Amendment 39-13074. Docket 
No. 2000-NE-18-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Dowty Aerospace Propellers, R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, 
R375/4-123-F/21, R389/4-123-F/25, R389/4-123-F/26, and R390/4-123-F/
27 propellers. These propellers are installed on, but not limited 
to, SAAB 340A and 340B airplanes.

    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.


[[Page 10154]]


    Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required within 1,800 
flying hours after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
done.
    To prevent failure of the hub due to loose hub through bolts, do 
the following:

One-Time Inspection of the Propeller Hub

    (a) If the propeller hub has not been disassembled since it was 
received from Dowty Aerospace Propellers, no further action is 
required. Otherwise, do the following:
    (1) Within 1,800 flying hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a one-time inspection of the hub for loose hub through 
bolts in accordance with 3.A.(1) through 3.A.(10) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers mandatory 
service bulletin (MSB) SF340-61-96, dated April 18, 2000.
    (2) If wear exceeds the limits specified in 3.A.(8) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers MSB SF340-
61-96, dated April 18, 2000, replace the hub with a serviceable 
part.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Boston ACO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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

    (d) The inspection must be done in accordance with Dowty 
Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SF340-61-96, dated April 
18, 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 Dowty Aerospace 
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road, East Gloucester 
GL2 9QN, UK; telephone 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax 44 (0) 1452 716001. 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA airworthiness 
directive 005-04-2000, dated April 18, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 8, 2003.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 20, 2003.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4596 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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