June 10, 2004, the FAA issued AD 2004-13-01, Amendment 39-13681 (69 FR 34560, June 22, 2004). That AD requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of propeller hubs, P/N 660709201, installed on airplanes, and for hubs and propellers in storage, initial ultrasonic inspection of propeller hubs before placing in service. That AD was the result of the manufacturer's reevaluation of potential hub failure on Type R321/4-82-F/8, R324/4-82-F/9, R333/4- 82-F/12, and R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies. That condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller hub failure due to cracks in the hub, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2004-13-01 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2004-13-01, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (U.K.), recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition might exist on Dowty Aerospace Propellers Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies installed on CASA 212 airplanes. The CAA advises that they have received a report of a hub separation of a Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assembly installed on a CASA 212 airplane. This AD requires the same initial and repetitive inspections as specified in AD 2004-13-01, but reduces the compliance intervals for the initial and repetitive inspections on Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies installed on CASA 212 airplanes. We intend the actions specified in this AD to prevent propeller hub failure due to cracks in the hub, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Dowty Aerospace Propellers Alert Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 61- 1119, Revision 4, dated September 14, 2005, that specifies initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the rear wall of the rear half of the propeller hub for cracks on Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies. The CAA classified thisservice bulletin as mandatory and issued CAA UK AD No. G-2005-0027, dated September 8, 2005, to assure the airworthiness of these Dowty Aerospace Propellers in the U.K.
Differences Between This AD and the Manufacturer's Service Information
Although Appendix A of Alert MSB No. 61-1119, Revision 4, dated September 14, 2005, requires reporting the inspection data to Dowty Aerospace Propellers, this AD requires that you report the data to the Boston Aircraft Certification Office of the FAA. Also, the Accomplishment Instructions 3.A.(1) of Alert MSB No. 61-1119, Revision 4, dated September 14, 2005, allows you to use Appendix A or Appendix D of that MSB, this AD requires that you use Appendix A of that MSB.
Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement
This propeller model is manufactured in the U.K. and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have examined the findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other Dowty Aerospace Propellers Type R321/4-82-F/8, R324/4- 82-F/9, R333/4-82-F/12, and R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies of the same type design. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller hub failure due to cracks in the hub, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. This AD requires:
Within 10 flight hours (FH) time-in-service (TIS) or 20 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, performing an initial ultrasonic inspection of the rear halves of propeller hubs P/N 660709201, that are installed in Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies, and;
Within 50 FH TIS or 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, performing an initial ultrasonic inspection of the rear halves of propeller hubs P/N 660709201, that are installed in Type R321/4-82-F/8, R324/4-82-F/9, and R333/4-82-F/12 propeller assemblies, and;
Within 300 FH time-since-last-inspection (TSLI) performing a repetitive ultrasonic inspection of the rear halves of propeller hubs P/N 660709201, that are installed in Type R334/4-82-F/13 propeller assemblies, and;
Within 1,000 FH TSLI performing a repetitive ultrasonic inspection of the rear halves of propeller hubs P/N 660709201, that are installed in Type R321/4-82-F/8, R324/4-82-F/9, and R333/4-82-F/12 propeller assemblies, and;
If not already done, performing an ultrasonic inspection of the rear halves of propeller hubs P/N 660709201, that are installed in Type R321/4-82-F/8, R324/4-82-F/9, R333/4-82-F/12, and R334/4-82-F/ 13 propeller assemblies that are in storage before installing the propeller assembly onto an airplane.
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. We did not precede it 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. 2001-NE-50-AD" in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of yourmailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the location.
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 the 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. 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 by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "AD Docket No. 2001-NE-50-AD" in your request.
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 Federal Aviation Administrationamends 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-13681 (69 FR 34560, June 22, 2004), and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-14306, to read as follows: