Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Engine Technologies Turbochargers

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34206-34208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13855]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0565; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-17075; AD 2012-10-52]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Engine Technologies 
Turbochargers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Cessna 
206, 207, and 210 airplanes with Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) 
turbochargers, part numbers (P/Ns) 406610-0005 and 406610-9005, 
installed. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires removing the 
affected turbochargers from service before further flight. This AD was 
prompted by a report of an HET turbocharger causing an engine in-flight 
power rollback. We are issuing this AD to prevent turbocharger bearing 
seizure, failed turbocharger components, and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective June 26, 2012 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2012-
10-52, issued on May 14, 2012, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication identified in the AD as of June 26, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Hartzell 
Engine Technologies, LLC, 2900 Selma Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108, 
phone: 334-386-5400; fax: 334-386-5450; internet: http://www.hartzellenginetech.com/service_bulletins.html#turbos.

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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Richards, Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 E. Devon 
Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7156; fax: 847-294-7834; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 14, 2012, we issued Emergency AD 2012-10-52, which requires 
removing HET turbochargers, P/Ns 406610-0005 and 406610-9005, before 
further flight. This action was prompted by a report of an HET 
turbocharger causing an engine in-flight power rollback. Upon 
investigation, the turbocharger was found to have incorrectly located 
oil passages in the center housing, causing insufficient oil flow to 
the bearings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
turbocharger bearing seizure, failure of the turbocharger turbine shaft 
or wheel, and damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Hartzell Engine Technologies Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 047, dated May 8, 2012. The ASB indentifies the part numbers 
and serial numbers of affected turbochargers and describes procedures 
for removing them from service.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other turbochargers of the same design. 
We are evaluating whether the affected population needs to expand to 
include supplemental type certificate and parts manufacturer approval 
installations and may take further action.

[[Page 34207]]

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removing the affected turbochargers from service 
before further flight.

Minor Clarification

    In the previously sent emergency AD, applicability paragraph (c)(2) 
inadvertently stated ``Turbochargers with P/N 406610-0005 or P/N 
406610-9005 overhauled or repaired on or later than January 1, 2012, 
with the same turbocharger center housing P/N and date code H-0112.'' 
That paragraph in this AD is clarified to state ``Turbochargers with P/
N 406610-0005 or P/N 406610-9005 overhauled or repaired on or later 
than January 1, 2012, with turbocharger center housing P/N 409836-0005 
and date code H-0112.'' Applicability paragraph (c)(3) of the 
previously sent emergency AD, referenced this same turbocharger center 
housing P/N, which also needs to be referenced in paragraph (c)(2).

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
affected turbochargers need to be removed from service before further 
flight. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0565 and 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-16-AD at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 80 airplanes of U.S. registry with 
affected turbochargers installed. We also estimate that it will take 
about 4 work-hours to remove a turbocharger from service. 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 $27,200.

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA 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 (AD):

2012-10-52 Hartzell Engine Technologies: Amendment 39-17075; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0565; Directorate Identifier 2012-NE-16-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 26, 2012 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2012-10-52 issued on May 14, 2012, which contained the requirements 
of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This emergency AD applies to the following Hartzell Engine 
Technologies (HET) turbochargers:
    (1) Turbocharger HET part number (P/N) 406610-0005 or P/N 
406610-9005 with serial numbers listed in Table 1 of HET Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 047, dated May 8, 2012.
    (2) Turbochargers with P/N 406610-0005 or P/N 406610-9005 
overhauled or repaired on or later than January 1, 2012, with 
turbocharger center housing P/N 409836-0005 and date code H-0112.
    (3) Turbocharger center housings P/N 409836-0005 sold as piece 
parts which are in field/distributor inventory with date code H-
0112.
    These turbochargers are installed on, but not limited to, Cessna 
206, 207, and 210 airplanes with Continental Motors, Inc TSIO-520-C, 
-G, -H, -M, and -R reciprocating engines installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an HET turbocharger causing 
an engine in-flight power rollback. Upon investigation, the 
turbocharger was found to have incorrectly located oil passages in 
the center housing, causing insufficient oil flow to the bearings. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in turbocharger 
bearing seizure, failure of the turbocharger turbine shaft or wheel, 
and damage to the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
turbocharger bearing seizure, failed turbocharger components, and 
damage to the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Before further flight, remove from service the turbochargers 
identified in paragraph (c) of this emergency AD, unless already 
done.

(f) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

[[Page 34208]]

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(h) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Christopher 
Richards, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7156; 
fax: 847-294-7834; email: [email protected].

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51 of the following service information on the date specified. 
You must use the following service information to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (2) Hartzell Engine Technologies Alert Service Bulletin No. 047, 
dated May 8, 2012.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hartzell Engine Technologies, LLC, 2900 Selma Highway, Montgomery, 
AL 36108, phone: 334-386-5400; fax: 334-386-5450; internet: http://www.hartzellenginetech.com/service_bulletins.html#turbos.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 May 30, 2012.
Peter A. White,
Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13855 Filed 6-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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