81 FR 12795 - Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Constant Speed Propellers

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 48 (March 11, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dowty Propellers R352/6-123-F/1, R352/6-123-F/2, and R410/6-123-F/35 model propellers. This AD was prompted by reports of dowel hole cracks in the face of the rear hub half. This AD requires installing dowel hole liners as necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of structural integrity of the propeller hub, which could result in damage to the propeller and damage to the airplane.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12795-12796]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05460]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 12795]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3661; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-24-AD; 
Amendment 39-18422; AD 2016-05-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dowty Propellers Constant Speed 
Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dowty Propellers R352/6-123-F/1, R352/6-123-F/2, and R410/6-123-F/35 
model propellers. This AD was prompted by reports of dowel hole cracks 
in the face of the rear hub half. This AD requires installing dowel 
hole liners as necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of 
structural integrity of the propeller hub, which could result in damage 
to the propeller and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 15, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Dowty Propellers, 114 Powers Court, Sterling, VA 20166; phone: 
703-421-4434; fax: 703-450-0087; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://dowty.com/services/repair-and-overhaul. You may view 
this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3661.

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-2015-
3661; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
Document Management Facility, 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: Michael Schwetz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7761; fax: 781-238-7898; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2015 (80 FR 
61330). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Cracking around the hub location dowel holes in the face of the 
rear hub half has occurred sporadically. Previous investigations 
found no manufacturing defects in cracked hubs and concluded that 
the hub cracking was caused by damage to the dowel holes during 
propeller installation.
    Since that original SB was issued, three hubs have been found to 
show cracking around the location dowel holes. The hubs were all 
found cracked within a short period of time and all had low time 
since new.
    This condition, if not detected, can adversely affect the 
structural integrity of the propeller hub, with possible damage to 
the propeller and to the aeroplane.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3661.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 61330, October 13, 
2015).
    However, we changed paragraph (e) Actions and Compliance to revise 
the compliance times to read, ``(1) At the next removal of the 
propeller from the airplane, after the effective date of this AD, 
install liners into the hub location dowel holes and identify the hub 
P/N.
    (2) Use Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. F50-61-
A165, Revision 2, dated July 28, 2015 to install the liners and 
identify the hub.''
    We removed Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) 61-10-34, Repair No. 
53, dated May 15, 2013, from the Other Related Service Information 
paragraph of this AD.
    We removed Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) 61-10-34, Repair No. 
53, dated May 15, 2013, which relates to repair scheme 650510057, from 
the Credit for Previous Actions paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
    We removed CMM 61-10-34, Repair No. 53, dated May 15, 2013, from 
the Related Information paragraph (h) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dowty Propellers has issued (ASB) No. F50-61-A165, Revision 2, 
dated July 28, 2015. The service information describes procedures for 
installing liners in the hub location dowel holes in the face of the 
rear hub half and identifying the hub with the repair number. 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 of this final rule.

[[Page 12796]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 4 propellers installed on 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 5 
hours per propeller to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per hour. Required parts cost about $322 per propeller. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$2,988.

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 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 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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-05-04 Dowty Propellers: Amendment 39-18422; Docket No. FAA-
2015-3661; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-24-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 15, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dowty Propellers R352/6-123-F/1, R352/6-123-
F/2, and R410/6-123-F/35 model propellers, part numbers (P/Ns) 
660715001, 660715004, and 660715005 with hub P/Ns 660715201, 
660715255, 660720217, 660720241, 660720252, 660720260, and 
660720288, installed.

(d) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of dowel hole cracks in the face 
of the rear hub half. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of 
structural integrity of the propeller hub, which could result in 
damage to the propeller and damage to the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) At the next removal of the propeller from the airplane, 
after the effective date of this AD, install liners into the hub 
location dowel holes and identify the hub P/N.
    (2) Use Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. F50-
61-A165, Revision 2, dated July 28, 2015 to install the liners and 
identify the hub.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (e) of 
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Dowty Propellers ASB No. F50-61-A165, Revision 1, 
dated May 12, 2015; or initial issue, dated November 19, 2012.

(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, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 
781-238-7898; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2015-0158, 
dated July 30, 2015, for more information. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-3661.

(i) 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) Dowty Propellers Alert Service Bulletin No. F50-61-A165, 
Revision 2, dated July 28, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Dowty Propellers service information identified in this 
AD, contact Dowty Propellers, 114 Powers Court, Sterling, VA 20166; 
phone: 703-421-4434; fax: 703-450-0087; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://dowty.com/services/repair-and-overhaul.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information 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 February 24, 2016.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05460 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
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