Airworthiness Directives; Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50821-50822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21507]



[[Page 50821]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0281; Product Identifier 2018-NE-06-AD; Amendment 
39-19437; AD 2018-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG 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 
Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG model HO-V 62 propellers. This AD was prompted 
by the failure of the propeller blade lag screws. This AD requires 
removal of the affected propeller blades and installation of modified 
propeller blades marked with change letter ``A'' or ``B.'' We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 14, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG, Sales and Service, 
K[uuml]pferlingstrasse 9, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 8031 
1878 0; fax: +49 (0) 8031 1878 78; email: prop.com">info@hoffmann-prop.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0281.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0281; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Maisttison, Aerospace 
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Ave, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7076; fax: 781-238-7151; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Hoffmann GmbH & Co. 
KG model HO-V 62 propellers. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on July 12, 2018 (83 FR 32219). The NPRM was prompted by the failure of 
the propeller blade lag screws. The NPRM proposed to require removal of 
the affected propeller blades and installation of modified propeller 
blades marked with change letter ``A'' or ``B.'' We are issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0220, dated November 10, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    In 1983, occurrences were reported of fatigue failure of 
propeller blade lag screws, at rotation speeds between 2950 and 3250 
revolutions per minute (RPM) in flight.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-
flight propeller blade detachment, possibly resulting in damage to 
the powered sailplane and/or injury to persons on the ground.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Hoffmann issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) 4, providing the necessary instructions. 
Consequently, LBA Germany issued AD 83-150 (later revised), which 
applied only to HO-V 62 propellers with R/L 160T blades, when in 
combination with a Limbach L 2000 engine, to require a limitation of 
continuous operation to 2 900 RPM, to prohibit aerobatic flights, 
calibrate the tachometer, install a placard, and inspection of the 
propeller blades. LBA AD 83-150/4 also required overhaul and 
replacement of the affected propeller blades with modified blades, 
either having 5 lag screws with 12 mm diameter, or 6 screws, and 
required implementing a time between overhaul (TBO) of 600 flight 
hours (FH).
    Since that [LBA] AD was issued, based on a stress analysis of 
lag screws on blades with continuous operating speed above 2 900 
RPM, it was determined that the 6-screws configuration or the 5 
screws configuration with increased strength is necessary to ensure 
safe propeller operation. In addition, since the LBA AD applied only 
to a limited population (Limbach engine only), many propellers have 
not been modified as described in Hoffmann SB 4C. Consequently, 
Hoffmann issued SB E34 Revision B, to provide blade replacement 
instructions

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0281.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Revised the Name of the Type Certificate Holder

    We determined that the name of the type certificate (TC) design 
holder that we used in the NPRM does not match the name used in the 
type certificate data sheet. We have revised references in this AD from 
``Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG'' to ``Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG'' when 
we are referring to the name of the TC design holder.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed except 
for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor 
changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Hoffmann Propeller GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin (SB) 
E34 Rev. B, dated September 18, 2017. The SB describes the instructions 
for the removal and installation of the propeller blades.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 50 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 50822]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace blades between overhaul.......  3 work-hours x $85 per            $3,150          $3,405         $85,125
                                         hour = $255.
Replace blades at overhaul............  0 work-hours x $85 per             3,150           3,150          78,750
                                         hour = $0.
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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 this AD:
    (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),
    (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):

2018-20-03 Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-19437; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0281; Product Identifier 2018-NE-06-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 14, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG model HO-V 62 
propellers without modified blades marked with change letter ``A'' 
or ``B'' suffix to the serial number (S/N).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6110, Propeller 
Assembly.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the failure of the propeller blade lag 
screws. We are issuing the AD to prevent failure of the propeller. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the release 
of the propeller blade, damage to the aircraft, and injury and/or 
loss of life.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 30 days of the effective date of this AD, remove the 
applicable propeller blades and install modified propeller blades 
marked with a change letter ``A'' or ``B'' suffix to the S/N marked 
on the blade.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install a propeller 
blade if it is not marked with a change letter ``A'' or ``B'' suffix 
to the S/N marked on the blade.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the Boston ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Maureen 
Maisttison, Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 
District Ave, Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7076; fax: 781-
238-7151; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2017-0220, dated 
November 10, 2017, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD 
in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0281.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 27, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21507 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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