Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60885-60887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21440]



[[Page 60885]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0320; Project Identifier 2019-CE-011-AD; Amendment 
39-21248; AD 2020-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain model McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed 
on airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant 
McCauley idler gear bearing, part number (P/N) A-20028, that could be 
installed in the affected governors. This AD requires replacing the 
governor with a governor that is eligible for installation. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 3, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact McCauley Propeller Systems, One Cessna Boulevard, P.O. Box 
7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (800) 621-7767 or (316) 831-
4021; email: [email protected]; internet: https://mccauley.txtav.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0320.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0320; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations 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: Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4196; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: 
[email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain model McCauley 
Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed on airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2020 (85 FR 19399). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports from McCauley that an unapproved variant 
idler gear bearing, P/N A-20028, was installed on certain governors 
during production between January 31, 2017, and September 27, 2018, and 
may have been installed on governors in service after January 31, 2017. 
The unapproved variant of the idler gear bearing does not conform to 
McCauley drawing requirements.
    All models of McCauley governors have an idler gear bearing with P/
N A-20028 installed; however, the unapproved variant of the bearing can 
be identified by part marking ``BA 59.'' The non-conforming idler gear 
bearing could have also been included in the idler gear assembly (idler 
gear and bearing), P/N A-20107, or the governor overhaul kit, P/N PL-
20233 or PL-20234.
    The non-conformity of the bearing may cause premature failure of 
the idler gear bearing. Early symptoms that the idler gear bearing may 
fail include inability of the governor to hold the selected RPM, 
hunting, surging, etc. An investigation identified 23 occurrences of 
airplane operation problems related to erratic governor behavior that 
may have resulted from the unapproved idler gear bearing.
    The NPRM proposed to require replacing an affected governor with a 
governor eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the idler gear bearing, which could result in 
failure of the governor, loss of propeller pitch control, engine and 
propeller over speed, engine oil contamination, and loss of airplane 
control.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Supportive Comments

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia, David 
Paynter, and Chartair Pty Ltd supported the NPRM.

Request To Clarify the Applicability

    CASA, David Paynter, and Chartair Pty Ltd requested the FAA clarify 
the applicability with respect to the idle gearing bearings affected by 
the unsafe condition.
    CASA advised of similar incidents of premature failure in idler 
gear bearings identified by part marking ``SCE 59'' and asked whether 
the FAA has determined that the unsafe condition exists or can develop 
in idler gear bearings other than those identified with ``BA 59.'' 
David Paynter expressed concern with governors that have ``SCE 59'' 
bearings or bearings with ``BA 59'' that do not have any country of 
origin stamped on them. Chartair Pty Ltd stated it has experienced 
bearing failures outside of the range identified in the NPRM. David 
Paynter and Chartair Pty Ltd requested the FAA change the AD to include 
these additional bearings.
    The FAA disagrees. The A-20028 bearing identified with ``BA 59'' is 
an unapproved bearing that does not conform to McCauley drawing 
requirements. Although the FAA is aware of failures of bearings other 
than those stamped with ``BA 59'', these bearings do not demonstrate 
the same unsafe condition as identified in this AD. The FAA will 
continue to monitor McCauley governor field reports for issues 
involving bearings other than those stamped with ``BA 59''.
    The FAA did not make changes to this AD as a result of these 
comments.

Request To Clarify the Required Actions

    The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) requested the FAA 
clarify paragraph (f), Compliance, of the NPRM. AOPA stated that the 
proposed language in paragraph (f) of the proposed AD to replace the 
governor with a governor eligible for installation can be misleading 
and imply that the governor must be replaced with a new or overhauled 
governor regardless of the status of the existing governor.
    The FAA disagrees. Paragraph (f) of this AD requires compliance, 
unless already done. Thus, the AD allows

[[Page 60886]]

operators to take credit for replacing the governor with a governor 
eligible for installation if done before the effective date of the AD. 
If the existing governor does not have an idler gear bearing with a 
part marking ``BA 59'', then compliance is already done.
    No changes to this AD are necessary based on this comment.

Request To Clarify the Installation Prohibition

    AOPA requested the FAA clarify the wording in paragraph (h), Parts 
Installation Prohibition, of the NPRM. AOPA stated the language does 
not convey whether replacing the affected idle gear bearing in the 
governor terminates the AD.
    The FAA disagrees. This AD does not require repetitive actions; 
therefore, terminating action is inappropriate. The installation 
prohibition ensures that affected governors will not be replaced with a 
part that has the unsafe condition. Once the affected governor is 
replaced in accordance with the requirements of this AD, no further 
action is required. The FAA did not make changes to this AD as a result 
of this comment.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously. 
The FAA has determined that these changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the proposal in the NPRM for 
addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed McCauley Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB273C, dated 
January 30, 2019. The service bulletin contains model and serial number 
information to identify the affected governors. The service bulletin 
also contains procedures for removing the governor from the engine, 
inspecting the governor for the unapproved variant idler gear bearing, 
replacing the idler gear bearing or idler gear assembly if necessary, 
overhauling the governor if necessary, and installing a governor on the 
engine. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,500 governors as installed 
in airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove affected governor..........  1 work-hour x $85 per  Not Applicable.......             $85        $212,500
                                     hour = $85.
Install a governor................  1 work-hour x $85 per  See table below......        Variable         Unknown
                                     hour = $85.
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    An operator has the option to pay a service center to inspect their 
existing governor and replace the idler gear bearing if necessary or 
pay to have their existing governor overhauled. An operator has the 
option to purchase a factory new governor or an overhauled governor, a 
feathering/syncing governor or a non-feathering/syncing governor. The 
FAA has no way of knowing what option an operator may take to obtain a 
governor eligible for installation. Therefore, the FAA has no way of 
determining the parts cost on U.S. operators. The following represents 
the estimated parts cost associated with obtaining a governor.

                      Cost for an Eligible Governor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Cost of
                    Type of governor                         governor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factory new non-feathering/non-syncing governor.........           2,000
Factory new feathering/syncing governor.................           9,000
Overhaul of existing non-feathering/non-syncing governor           1,000
Overhaul of existing feathering/syncing governor........           3,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost 
estimate.

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.
    The FAA is 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 govement.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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:

[[Page 60887]]

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):

2020-19-06 McCauley Propeller Systems: Amendment 39-21248; Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0320; Project Identifier 2019-CE-011-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley) 
governors specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD and 
installed on airplanes, certificated in any category.
    (1) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB273C, dated January 30, 2019 (McCauley ASB273C) with a serial 
number from 170061 through 180501, excluding the serial numbers 
listed in table 1 of McCauley ASB273C; or
    (2) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley ASB273C, with any 
serial number, that have an installation date after January 31, 
2017, or an installation date that cannot be determined.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 61, Propellers.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant idler 
gear bearing, McCauley part number (P/N) A-20028, installed on 
governors. All models of McCauley governors have a bearing with P/N 
A-20028 installed; however, the unapproved variant can be identified 
with the part marking ``BA 59.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the idler gear bearing. This failure could result 
in failure of the governor, loss of propeller pitch control, engine 
and propeller over speed, engine oil contamination, and loss of 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Unless already done, within 50 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD or within 24 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the governor with a 
governor eligible for installation.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: Any model McCauley governor 
that is stamped with the letter B, as specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions in McCauley ASB273C, has already 
complied with the requirements of this AD.

(g) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a governor eligible for 
installation is defined as a governor that does not have an idler 
gear bearing with a part marking ``BA 59'' installed.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane a McCauley governor unless it is a governor eligible for 
installation.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Thomas Teplik, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4196; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected] or [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) McCauley Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB273C, dated January 
30, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For McCauley Propeller Systems service information 
identified in this AD, contact McCauley Propeller Systems, One 
Cessna Boulevard, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: 
(800) 621-7767 or (316) 831-4021; email: [email protected]; 
internet: https://mccauley.txtav.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21440 Filed 9-28-20; 8:45 am]
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