Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Five-Blade Propeller Assemblies

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67807-67809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25543]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19242; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-21-AD; 
Amendment 39-13871; AD 2004-23-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Five-Blade 
Propeller Assemblies

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
McCauley Propeller Systems propeller assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) 
B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, 
and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, installed on BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Jetstream Model 4100 series airplanes. This AD requires a one-
time eddy-current inspection of the propeller hub for cracks, and if 
necessary, replacing the propeller assembly. This AD results from three 
reports of cracked hubs. We are issuing this AD to detect cracked hubs, 
which could cause failure of the propeller hub and loss of control of 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulation as of December 7, 2004.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 
67277-7704, U.S.A.; telephone (800) 621-7767, for the service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
7132; fax: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received three reports of cracks in 
the hubs of certain McCauley Propeller Systems propeller assemblies. An 
operator reported an oil leak at the end of a flight. Investigation 
revealed a significant crack in the propeller hub. In addition, the 
same operator reported cracks in two other hubs that might be related 
to the first report. In both of those reports, the operator inspected 
the hub because of reported oil leaks. The operator performed a 
voluntary inspection program, and did not find any more cracks. About 
30 percent of the remaining fleet has complied with the voluntary 
inspection over the past several months. No operator has reported any 
more cracked hubs. Although we believe the cracks are caused by 
fatigue, we don't know the exact cause. One possibility is that 
operating the propeller in the restricted RPM range during ground 
operation is contributing to premature failure of the propeller hub. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
propeller hub and loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of McCauley 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB247A, Revision A, dated August 18, 
2004. That ASB describes procedures for removing the propeller from the 
airplane, performing an eddy-current inspection, and installing the 
propeller after the inspection.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other McCauley Propeller Systems propeller assemblies, P/Ns 
B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, 
and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, of the same type design. We are issuing 
this AD to detect cracked hubs, which could cause failure of the 
propeller hub and loss of control of the airplane. This AD requires 
performing a one-time eddy-current inspection of the propeller hub for 
cracks within:
    <bullet> 200 hours time-since-last inspection (TSLI), but not later 
than 30 days after the effective date of this AD, on propeller 
assemblies with more than 8,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) and, if 
necessary, replacing the propeller assembly.
    <bullet> 400 hours TSLI, but not later than 60 days after the 
effective date of this AD, on propeller assemblies with 8,000 or fewer 
hours TIS and, if necessary, replacing the propeller assembly.
    You must use the service information described previously to 
perform the actions required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Interim Action

    These actions are interim actions and we might take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to send any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments on this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2004-19242; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-NE-21-AD'' in the subject line of

[[Page 67808]]

your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule 
that might suggest a need to adjust it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel about this AD. Using the search function of the Docket 
Management System (DMS) web site, anyone can find and read the comments 
in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent 
the comment (or signed the comment for an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement 
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), 
or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You can get more information about plain 
language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Under 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-23-16 McCauley Propeller Systems: Amendment 39-13871. Docket 
No. FAA-2004-19242; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-21-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
7, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems propeller 
assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/
L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, 
installed on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Jetstream Model 4100 
series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from three reports of cracked hubs. We are 
issuing this AD to detect cracked hubs, which could cause failure of 
the propeller hub and loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Onetime Eddy-Current Inspection

    (f) Perform a onetime eddy-current inspection using the 
compliance times specified in Table 1 of this AD. Use 1.A. through 
2.D.(7)(c) of the Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB247A, Revision A, dated August 18, 
2004.

                       Table 1.--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the propeller assembly has
            . . .                          Then inspect . . .
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(1) More than 8,000 hours      Within 200 hours time-since-last
 time-in-service (TIS) on the   inspection (TSLI) or within 30 days
 effective date of this AD.     after the effective date of this AD,
                                whichever is earlier.
(2) 8,000 or fewer hours TIS   Within 400 hours TSLI or within 60 days
 on the effective date of       after the effective date of this AD,
 this AD.                       whichever is earlier.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit for Previous Compliance

    (g) Performing the eddy-current inspection using McCauley ASB 
No. A247, dated April 30, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with 
this AD.

Reporting Requirements

    (h) The reporting requirement specified in 2.D.(5) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB247A, 
Revision A, dated August 18, 2004, are approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 2120-0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service 
Bulletin No. ASB247A, Revision A, dated August 18, 2004, to perform 
the actions required by this AD. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You 
can get a copy from McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, 
Wichita, KS 67277-7704, U.S.A.; telephone (800) 621-7767. You may 
review copies on the internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on

[[Page 67809]]

the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Related Information

    (k) None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 10, 2004.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25543 Filed 11-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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