02-29676. Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 Propellers

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots that were installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller Overshoes. This proposal would require removal of the anti-ice boots, rework of the anti-ice boot area of the propeller blades, and installation of new anti-ice boots. This proposal is prompted by a report of TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots on the blades of a model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propeller that were installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE using processes that could lead to blade corrosion and failure. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane.

DATES:

Comments must be received by January 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-47-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at this location, by appointment, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [e-mail]. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Hartzell Propeller Inc. Technical Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tomaso DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2001-NE-47-AD.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NE-47-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

The FAA received a report of a Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propeller that was returned to Hartzell Propeller Inc. for correction of a service problem. SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, had installed TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots onto the propeller blades as specified in TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller Overshoes. Procedure P232 calls for the removal of both the paint and anodized coating from the blades where the anti-ice boots attach. In addition, the process used by SOCATA included the use of scribe lines to outline the anti-ice boot area on the blade and the scribe lines were not subsequently removed. The removal of paint and anodized coating can lead to corrosion of the propeller blade under the boot and could result in blade failure. Scribe lines in the blade metal can produce a stress riser condition on the blade, and could result in blade failure. The FAA has concluded that about 230 other propellers in the U.S. might be affected with anti-ice boots installed in this fashion. This condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane.

Manufacturer's Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HC-ASB-61-251, dated April 10, 2001, that describes procedures for inspection and rework of model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers of the same type design with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots that were installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller Overshoes, the proposed AD would require inspection and rework of model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots installed. The actions would be required to be done in accordance with the ASB described previously, except using the compliance schedule in the proposed AD.

Economic Analysis

There are approximately 750 Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller Overshoes. The FAA estimates that 230 propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 10 work hours per propeller to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $900 per propeller. Based on these figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $345,000.

Regulatory Analysis

This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this proposed rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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); and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Docket No. 2001-NE-47-AD.

Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-C2Y(K,R)-1BF/F8477-4 propellers with TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. anti-ice boots that were installed by SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, the aircraft manufacturer, using TKS Ltd. Procedure P232, Specification for the Attachment of Propeller Overshoes. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to American Champion 8GCBC, Cessna 170 series, 172 series, 175 series, Piper PA-18 series, Sky International Inc. (Husky) A-1 (previous owners were Christen Industries; Aviat, Inc.; White International, LTD.), and SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE TB-20 and TB-21 airplanes.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each propeller identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For propellers that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already done.

To prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane, do the following:

(a) For propellers that have been overhauled after the installation of TKS (Aircraft De-icing) Ltd. Anti-ice boots, and have had the anti-ice boots re-installed using Hartzell Manual 133C (ATA 61-13-33) “Aluminum Blade Overhaul”, AS&T Procedure 4700INS, or other approved procedures (excluding TKS Procedure P232) no further action is required.

(b) For propellers that have had the anti-ice boots installed using the TKS Procedure P232, but have not had anti-ice boots re-installed using Hartzell Manual 133C (ATA 61-13-33) “Aluminum Blade Overhaul”, AS&T Procedure 4700INS or other approved procedures (excluding TKS Procedure P232), remove anti-ice boots, rework anti-ice boot areas of propeller blades, and install new anti-ice boots in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) HC-ASB-61-251, dated April 10, 2001 using the compliance schedule in Table 1 as follows:

Table 1.—Compliance Schedule

For propellers with—	Replace anti-ice boots—
(1) Fewer than 500 hours time-in-service (TIS) and fewer than 3 years time-since-new (TSN)	Within 200 hours TIS from the effective date of this AD, not to exceed 600 hours TSN, or prior to accumulating 4 years TSN, whichever occurs first.
(2) Five hundred or more hours TIS, or 3 years or more TSN but less than 6 years TSN	Within 100 hours TIS, or 1 year from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(3) Six years or more TSN	Within 50 hours TIS, or within 6 months from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office. Operators must submit their request through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

Note 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be done.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on November 15, 2002.

Mark C. Fulmer,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.