[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 248 (Thursday, December 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78290-78292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30882]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to revise airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-21-07
that applies to certain Dowty Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17
propellers. AD 2008-21-07 requires initial and repetitive inspections
of the blade bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guards for correct
bonding until they accumulate more than 1,200 flight hours (FH) time in
service. Since we issued AD 2008-21-07, Dowty Propellers has introduced
updated service bulletins that identify terminating action to the
requirements of AD 2008-21-07. This proposed AD would maintain the
inspection and replacement requirements of AD 2008-21-07, provide an
optional terminating action to those requirements, and add a new part
number to the list of affected parts. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the loss of the bonded metallic L/E guard of the propeller,
which could result in damage to the propeller or to the airplane, or
injury to personnel.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 24,
2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
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 Dowty
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL2
9QN, UK; phone 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax 44 (0) 1452 716001. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
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-2008-
1088; 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 proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket 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: Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1088;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
On October 3, 2008, we issued AD 2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73
FR 61346, October 16, 2008), (``AD 2008-21-07''), for all Dowty
Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17 propellers. AD 2008-21-07 requires
initial and repetitive inspections of the blade bonded metallic L/E
guards for correct bonding until they accumulate more than 1,200 FH
time in service. AD 2008-21-07 resulted from three in-service
occurrences of blades losing the bonded metallic L/E guard. We issued
AD 2008-21-07 to prevent the loss of the bonded metallic L/E guard of
the propeller, which could result in damage to the propeller or to the
airplane, or injury to personnel.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2008-21-07, Dowty Propellers has introduced
updated service bulletins that identify terminating action to the
repetitive inspection requirements of AD 2008-21-07. Dowty has also
informed us of the need to add blade part number 697071278-18 to the
list of affected parts. Also since we issued AD 2008-21-07, the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued AD 2007-0223R4, dated
September 30, 2013, which requires repetitive inspections of the
affected propellers and clarifies terminating action.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 2007. The ASB describes
procedures for initial and repetitive inspections of blade bonded
metallic L/E guards, and repair or replacement of blades that fail
inspection. We also reviewed Service Bulletin (SB) No. D8400-61-70,
Revision 3, dated June 3, 2013, and SB No. D8400-61-83, Revision 4,
dated June 3, 2013, which provide optional terminating action for the
repetitive inspection requirement of this proposed AD.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would maintain the initial and repetitive
inspections of the propeller blade bonded metallic L/E guards required
by AD 2008-21-07 (73 FR 61346, October 16, 2008). This proposed AD
would also provide an
[[Page 78291]]
optional terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements
of AD 2008-21-07, and would add a new part number to the list of
affected parts.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 174 propellers
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about 4 hours per propeller to comply with this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Required parts cost about $352 per
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this
proposed AD to U.S. operators is $120,408.
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 proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(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 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73 FR 61346, October 16, 2008), and
adding the following new AD:
Dowty Propellers (formerly Dowty Aerospace Propellers): Docket No.
FAA-2008-1088; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-15-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 24,
2014.
(b) Affected Ads
This AD revises AD 2008-21-07, Amendment 39-15691 (73 FR 61346,
October 16, 2008).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Dowty Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17
propellers with blades, part numbers 697071200-18, 697071210-18,
697071227-18, 697071240-18, 697071245-18, 697071257-18, or
697071278-18, installed.
(d) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by three in-service occurrences of blades
losing the bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guard. We are issuing
this AD to prevent the loss of the bonded metallic L/E guard of the
propeller, which could result in damage to the propeller or to the
airplane, or injury to personnel.
(e) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(1) Within the next 50 flight hours (FH) or within 30 days after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect all
affected blade assemblies where the bonded metallic L/E guard has
accumulated 1,200 FH time in service or less since installation, in
accordance with the instructions of Dowty Propellers Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18,
2007.
(2) Within 50 FH or 30 days, whichever occurs first, after
installing a replacement blade, inspect the affected blade assembly
where the bonded metallic L/E guard has accumulated 1,200 FH time in
service or less since installation, in accordance with the
instructions of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1,
dated September 18, 2007.
(3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 FH, repeat the
inspection of the affected blade assemblies in accordance with the
instructions of Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1,
dated September 18, 2007, until the blade bonded metallic L/E guard
has accumulated more than 1,200 FH time in service since
installation.
(4) If, during any of the inspections required by this AD,
disbonding is found, apply the criteria in Appendix A of Dowty
Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18,
2007 and, within the associated time period, repair or replace the
affected blade assembly in accordance with Dowty Propellers ASB No.
D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18, 2007.
(5) Blades that were repaired within the first 101.6 mm (4.0
inches) of the tip of the blade as specified in Appendix D of Dowty
Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated September 18,
2007, are eligible to continue in service for another 500 FH after
accomplishment of the repair. Repair does not terminate the
repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD.
(f) Optional Terminating Action
As optional terminating action to the repetitive inspection
requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, modify the affected
propeller using Dowty Propellers Service Bulletin (SB) No. D8400-61-
70, Revision 3, dated June 3, 2013, or SB No. D8400-61-83, Revision
4, dated June 3, 2013, as applicable.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, Boston 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
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; email:
[email protected].
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2007-
0223R4, dated September 30, 2013, for more information. You may
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2008-1088.
(3) Dowty Propellers SB No. D8400-61-70, Revision 3, dated June
3, 2013, and SB No. D8400-61-83, Revision 4, dated June 3, 2013,
which are not incorporated by reference in this AD, can be obtained
from Dowty Propellers, using the contact information in paragraph
(h)(5) of this AD.
(4) Dowty Propellers ASB No. D8400-61-A69, Revision 1, dated
September 18, 2007, pertains to the subject of this AD and can be
obtained from Dowty Propellers, using the
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contact information in paragraph (h)(5) of this AD.
(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dowty
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester
GL2 9QN, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax: 44 (0) 1452 716001.
(6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781-238-7125.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 11, 2013.
Frank P. Paskiewicz,
Acting Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30882 Filed 12-24-13; 8:45 am]
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