Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Model 4HFR34C653/L106FA Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39801-39803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16615]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD; 
Amendment 39-16365; AD 2010-14-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems Model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
McCauley Propeller Systems model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. This AD 
requires a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and eddy 
current inspection (ECI) of the propeller hub for cracks. This AD 
results from reports of 10 hubs found cracked during propeller 
overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the propeller 
hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the airplane, and 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 17, 2010. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of August 17, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from McCauley Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704; 
telephone (800) 621-7767.
    The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (316) 946-4148; fax (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to McCauley Propeller 
Systems model 4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers. We published the proposed 
AD in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007 (72 FR 55120). We also 
published a supplemental proposed AD in the Federal Register on April 
13, 2010 (75 FR 18774). Those actions proposed to require a onetime FPI 
and ECI of the propeller hub for cracks.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is provided in 
the

[[Page 39802]]

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received one comment on the original 
proposed AD, which we responded to in the supplemental proposed AD. We 
received no comments on the supplemental proposed AD, or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 128 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
41.5 work-hours per propeller to perform the actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $451,520.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

2010-14-20 McCauley Propeller Systems: Amendment 39-16365. Docket 
No. FAA-2007-29176; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-38-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
17, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McCauley Propeller Systems model 
4HFR34C653/L106FA propellers.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of 10 hubs found cracked during 
propeller overhaul. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
propeller hub, which could cause blade separation, damage to the 
airplane, 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.
    (f) For propeller hubs with 6,000 or more operating hours time-
since-new (TSN) on the effective date of this AD, perform the 
procedures in paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD within 100 
operating hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
    (g) For propeller hubs with fewer than 6,000 operating hours TSN 
on the effective date of this AD, perform the procedures in 
paragraphs (h) through (k) of this AD before the propeller hub 
reaches 6,100 operating hours TSN.

Onetime Propeller Hub Inspection

    (h) Remove and disassemble the propeller, and etch the propeller 
hub, using paragraphs 1.A. through 2.D. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (i) Perform a onetime fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 
the propeller hub, using paragraphs 3.A through 3.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems Alert 
Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (j) For hubs that pass the FPI, perform a onetime eddy current 
inspection of the propeller hub, using paragraphs 4.A. through 4.F. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propeller Systems 
Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007.
    (k) Remove cracked hubs from service and any other propeller 
parts found cracked.

Previous Credit

    (l) If you performed the onetime inspection of the propeller hub 
using McCauley Propeller Systems Service Bulletin No. SB238A, or 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB254, both dated August 20, 2007, before 
the effective date of this AD, you have satisfied the inspection 
requirements of this AD.

Interim Action

    (m) These actions are interim actions and we may take further 
rulemaking actions in the future.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (n) The Manager, Wichita 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (o) Under 14 CFR part 39.23, we are limiting the special flight 
permits for this AD as follows:
    (1) The propeller must have no signs of external oil leakage 
from the hub; and
    (2) The propeller has no current reports of abnormal operation 
or vibration.

Related Information

    (p) Contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone 
(316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107, for more information about this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (q) You must use McCauley Propeller Systems, Service Bulletin 
No. ASB254, dated August 20, 2007, to perform the inspections 
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in

[[Page 39803]]

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact McCauley 
Propeller Systems, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, KS 67277-7704; telephone 
(800) 621-7767, for a copy of this service information. You may 
review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 1, 2010.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16615 Filed 7-12-10; 8:45 am]
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