Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller, Inc. Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45052-45053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17664]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0130; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-07-AD; 
Amendment 39-17520; AD 2013-15-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller, Inc. Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Hartzell Propeller, Inc. propeller models HC-(1,D)2(X,V,MV)20-7, HC-
(1,D)2(X,V,MV)20-8, and HC-(1,D)3(X,V,MV)20-8. This AD was prompted by 
failures of the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm and resulting 
engine oil leak. This AD requires replacement of the propeller 
hydraulic bladder diaphragm. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture, loss of engine oil, 
damage to the engine, and loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective August 30, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hartzell Propeller, Inc., 1 Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; phone: 
937-778-4397; fax: 937-778-4391; email: [email protected]. 
You may view this 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.
    The Docket Operations office is located at Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
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 address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) provided in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Grace, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 45053]]

Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Propulsion Branch, 2300 E. 
Devon Avenue, Des Planes, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7377; fax: 847-294-
7834; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2013 (78 FR 
18255). The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the propeller 
hydraulic bladder diaphragm with a redesigned bladder diaphragm that 
includes a tab, visible after installation, which contains the bladder 
diaphragm batch/lot number.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Hartzell Propeller, 
Inc. supports the NPRM (78 FR 18255, dated March 26, 2013).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 400 propellers installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
4 hours per propeller to replace the bladder diaphragm. The average 
labor rate is $85 per hour. We estimate parts costs at $53 per engine. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $157,200. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible 
warranty coverage.

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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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):

2013-15-04 Hartzell Propeller, Inc.: Amendment 39-17520; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0130; Directorate Identifier 2013-NE-07-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 30, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hartzell Propeller, Inc. propeller models HC-
(1,D)2(X,V,MV)20-7, HC-(1,D)2(X,V,MV)20-8, and HC-(1,D)3(X,V,MV)20-8 
with a propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm, part number (P/N) B-
119-2, without tab, installed.

(d) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by failures of the propeller hydraulic 
bladder diaphragm and resulting engine oil leak. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture, loss of 
engine oil, damage to the engine, and loss of the airplane.

(e) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(f) Bladder Diaphragm Replacement

    (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
from service the propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm, P/N B-119-2, 
without tab.
    (2) Install a redesigned propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm, 
P/N B-119-2, with tab. The bladder diaphragm, eligible for 
installation, is identified by a tab with a batch/lot number. The 
tab is visible after installation and confirms the installation of 
the proper redesigned propeller hydraulic bladder diaphragm, P/N B-
119-2, with tab, in the Hartzell propeller assembly.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install into any 
engine any hydraulic bladder diaphragm, P/N B-119-2, that is without 
tab.

(h) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Mark Grace, 
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Propulsion Branch, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des Planes, IL 60018; 
phone: 847-294-7377; fax: 847-294-7834; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to Hartzell Alert Service Bulletin No. HC-ASB-61-338 
for related information.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hartzell Propeller Inc., 1 Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634; 
phone: 937-778-4379; fax: 937-778-4391; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this 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.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on July 16, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17664 Filed 7-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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