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AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for
the products listed above. That AD currently requires initial and
repetitive ultrasonic inspections of propeller hubs, part number (P/N)
660709201. This new AD requires introducing a new hub assembly P/N as
an optional terminating action to the repetitive hub inspections. This
AD was prompted by the need to
introduce an optional terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. 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.
DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 11,
2011.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Dowty
Propellers, Anson Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL
29QN, UK; phone: 44 (0) 1452 716000; fax: 44 (0) 1452 716001. You may
review copies of the referenced 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;
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 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, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7761; fax: 781-238-7170; e-
mail: michael.schwetz@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to revise AD 2005-25-10, Amendment 39-14403 (70 FR 73364,
December 12, 2005). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2011 (76 FR 21675). That
NPRM proposed to continue to require initial and repetitive ultrasonic
inspections of propeller hubs, P/N 660709201. That NPRM also proposed
to introduce as an optional terminating action for the initial and
repetitive ultrasonic inspections of that AD, replacement of propeller
hub P/N 660709201 with a new propeller hub, P/N 660717226.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 21675, April 18,
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 132 propellers installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about
0.5 work-hour per propeller to perform the inspection and about 1 hour
to replace a propeller hub. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Required parts will cost about $19,500 per engine. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be
$2,590,830.
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 DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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
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 airworthiness directive (AD)
2005-25-10, Amendment 39-14403 (70 FR 73364, December 12, 2005), and
adding the following new AD:
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