Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) Propellers

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 229 (Thursday, November 29, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67564-67566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23119]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28656; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD; 
Amendment 39-15280; AD 2007-24-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( 
), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-
5( ) propellers. This AD requires a onetime eddy current inspection of 
the propeller hub mounting bolt holes and replacement of the propeller 
hub if cracked. This AD results from the discovery of a five-bladed 
propeller hub with a large crack on the mounting flange of the hub. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade separation, 
damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 14, 2007. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of December 14, 2007.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Docket Management Facility, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 67565]]

    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Contact Hartzell Propeller Inc., Technical Publications Department, 
One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-4200; fax 
(937) 778-4391, for the service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300 
East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; e-mail: 
[email protected]; telephone (847) 294-7132; fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recently, a Piaggio P-180 airplane 
experienced a significant vibration in flight, from one of the 
propellers. The Hartzell model HC-E5N-3( )(L) propeller assembly was 
removed and examined. Inspection of the propeller assembly revealed a 
significant crack in the propeller hub. Although the exact cause of the 
crack is unknown, a major factor appears to be a pre-existing defect in 
one of the propeller mounting bolt holes. This defect may cause a crack 
to grow to catastrophic failure. Operating the propeller in an rpm 
range restricted by the airplane operating limitations may accelerate 
the hub crack. Acceleration of the propeller hub crack may also be due 
to operation beyond the airplane's operating limitations when in ground 
idle without the propellers feathered, or used in maximum reverse. We 
determined that the hubs at risk are in two populations. The first 
population is those hubs with unknown hours, or with between 1,800 and 
4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS). The second population is all other 
hubs with fewer than 1,800 or more than 4,500 hours TIS. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller hub cracks, 
blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane 
control.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hartzell 
Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61-295, Revision 2, 
dated August 1, 2007, that describes procedures for a onetime eddy 
current inspection of the propeller hub mounting bolt holes and 
replacement of the propeller hub if cracked.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-E5N-3( ), HC-E5N-3( 
)(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) propellers of the same type design. For that 
reason, we are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade 
separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane 
control. You must use the service information described previously to 
perform the actions required by this AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD 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 us any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. FAA-2007-28656; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
Federal Docket Management System Web site, anyone can find and read the 
comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual 
who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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 the same as 
the Mail address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 the 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
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal 
Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

[[Page 67566]]

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:

2007-24-14 Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Amendment 39-15280. Docket No. 
FAA-2007-28656; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-31-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
14, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-E5N-3( 
), HC-E5N-3( )(L), and HC-E5B-5( ) propellers. Hartzell Propeller 
Inc. model HC-E5N-3( )and HC-E5N-3( )(L) propellers are installed 
on, but not limited to, Piaggio P-180 Avanti airplanes with 
propeller serial numbers (SNs) up to and including HF229 or KU92, 
except those SNs listed in the following Table 1. Hartzell Propeller 
Inc. HC-E5B( ) propellers are installed on Grumman S-2 Tracker 
airplanes with propeller SNs up to and including HN14.

             Table 1.--Propeller SNs Not Affected by This AD
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HC-E5N-3( )L:
  HF4, HF5, HF6, HF7, HF18, HF20, HF26, HF28, HF30, HF34, HF45, HF50,
   HF52, HF74, HF76, HF87, HF93, HF94, HF97, HF101, HF109, HF121, HF122,
   HF126, HF130, HF133, HF135, HF137, HF140, HF147, HF149, HF152, HF153,
   HF156, HF158, HF164, HF165, HF179, HF183, HF184, HF188, HF190, HF195,
   HF205, HF213, HF215, HF225, HF226, HF230, HF231, HF232, HF233, HF234,
   HF235.
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HC-E5N-3( ):
  KU1, KU3, KU14, KU15, KU16, KU19, KU34, KU41, KU45, KU51, KU57, KU69,
   KU74, KU79, KU84, KU86, KU87, KU89, KU93, KU94, KU95, KU96, KU103.
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HC-E5B-5( ):
  HN15.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the discovery of a five-bladed 
propeller hub with a large crack on the mounting flange of the hub. 
We determined that the hubs at risk are in two populations. The 
first population is those hubs with unknown hours, or with between 
1,800 and 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS). The second population 
is all other hubs with fewer than 1,800 or more than 4,500 hours 
TIS. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure, blade 
separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of airplane 
control.

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.

Propeller Hub Inspection

    (f) Using Hartzell Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-295, Revision 
2, dated August 1, 2007, do a onetime eddy current inspection of the 
propeller mounting holes and replace the propeller hub if any crack 
is found. Inspect as follows:
    (1) If propeller hub TIS is unknown, or more than 1,800 hours 
but fewer than 4,500 hours, inspect the mounting holes within 12 
calendar months, or within the next 150 hours TIS, or at the next 
scheduled airframe ``A'' check inspection.
    (2) If the propeller hub TIS is 1,800 hours or fewer, or 4,500 
hours or more, inspect the mounting holes within 12 calendar months, 
or within 600 hours TIS, or at the next scheduled airframe ``B'' 
check inspection, whichever comes first.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Chicago 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.

Related Information

    (h) Contact Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; e-mail: [email protected]; 
telephone (847) 294-7132; fax (847) 294-7834, for more information 
about this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Hartzell Service Bulletin HC-SB-61-295, 
Revision 2, dated August 1, 2007, to perform the inspection required 
by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Hartzell Propeller 
Inc., Technical Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, 
OH 45356; telephone (937) 778-4200; fax (937) 778-4391, for a copy 
of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, New 
England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
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 November 21, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-23119 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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