Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Final rule; request for comments.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hartzell Propeller Inc. models HC–B3TN–2, HC–B3TN–3, HC–B3TN–5, HC–B3MN–3, HC–B4TN–3, HC–B4TN–5, HC–B4MN–5, HC–B4MP–3, HC–B4MP–5, and HC–B5MP–3 propellers, installed with propeller mounting bolts, part number (P/N) B–3339. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections and torque checks of certain manufacture lot numbers of propeller mounting bolts, P/N B–3339, and eventual removal from service of those bolts. This AD results from the discovery during routine
This AD becomes effective July 29, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of July 29, 2005.
We must receive any comments on this AD by September 12, 2005.
Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD:
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
• Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Hartzell Propeller Inc. Technical Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778–4200; fax (937) 778–4391, for the service information referenced in this AD.
Tim Smyth, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone: (847) 294–7132; fax: (847) 294–7834.
Hartzell Propeller Inc. has informed us that recently during routine installation of a steel hub propeller, one of the propeller mounting bolts, P/N B–3339, did not properly absorb the installation torque. The suspect bolt was removed and examined. Hartzell Propeller Inc., found that the bolt does not have the proper material hardness as specified by the propeller type design requirements. That bolt was identified as part of LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 56. Hartzell Propeller Inc., examined their inventory of bolts and found two other Lot No. 56 bolts also below proper material hardness. During this investigation, Hartzell Propeller Inc. also discovered a quantity of bolts, P/N B–3339, from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12, with material surface pitting underneath the anti-corrosion coating. These pitted bolts also do not meet the propeller type design requirements. This condition, if not corrected, could result in propeller mounting bolt failures or improperly secured propellers, which could lead to separation of the propeller from the airplane.
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. HC–ASB–61–279, Revision 2, dated May 6, 2005, that describes procedures to visually inspect, torque check, and replace the affected bolts.
The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other Hartzell Propeller Inc. models HC–B3TN–2, HC–B3TN–3, HC–B3TN–5, HC–B3MN–3, HC–B4TN–3, HC–B4TN–5, HC–B4MN–5, HC–B4MP–3, HC–B4MP–5, and HC–B5MP–3 propellers of the same type design, installed with propeller mounting bolts, P/N B–3339. For that reason, we are issuing this AD to prevent propeller mounting bolt failures or improperly secured propellers, which could lead to separation of the propeller from the airplane. This AD requires:
• Initial visual inspection and torque check of all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first; and
• Thereafter, for all airplanes except Aerospatiale (Nord) Model 262(A) airplanes modified by STC SA2369SW, repetitive torque checks on all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 120 hours TIS since-last-inspection; and
• Thereafter, for Aerospatiale (Nord) Model 262(A) airplanes modified by STC SA2369SW, repetitive torque checks on all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 100 hours TIS since-last-inspection; and
• If any bolt fails the torque check, replacement of all eight bolts with P/N B–3339 bolts that are not from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56, or with FAA-approved equivalent part number bolts.
• As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive visual inspections and torque checks required by this AD, replacement of all P/N B–3339, LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 and Lot No. 56 bolts with P/N B–3339 bolts that are not from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56, or with FAA-approved equivalent part number bolts, within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
You must use the service information described previously to perform the visual inspections, torque checks, and bolt replacements required by this AD.
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.
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded 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
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments
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.
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 at the address listed under
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 29, 2005.
(b) None.
(c) This AD applies to Hartzell Propeller Inc. models HC–B3TN–2, HC–B3TN–3, HC–B3TN–5, HC–B3MN–3, HC–B4TN–3, HC–B4TN–5, HC–B4MN–5, HC–B4MP–3, HC–B4MP–5, and HC–B5MP–3 propellers installed with propeller mounting bolts, part number (P/N) B–3339. These propellers are installed on, but not limited to, the airplanes listed in the following Table 1:
(d) This AD results from the discovery during routine propeller installation that a bolt from a certain manufacture lot did not properly absorb the installation torque. This AD also results from the discovery that other bolts of the same part number from a different certain manufacture lot had material surface pitting. We are issuing this AD to prevent propeller mounting bolt failures or improperly secured propellers, which could lead to separation of the propeller from the airplane.
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.
(f) Perform initial visual inspection and torque check of all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs first. For the location of bolt identification marks, see Figure 1 of Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. HC–ASB–61–279, Revision 2, dated May 6, 2005.
(g) Thereafter, for all airplanes except Aerospatiale (Nord) Model 262(A) airplanes modified by STC SA2369SW, perform repetitive torque checks on all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 120 hours TIS since-last-inspection.
(h) Thereafter, for Aerospatiale (Nord) Model 262(A) airplanes modified by STC SA2369SW, perform repetitive torque checks on all eight mounting flange bolts when P/N B–3339 bolts from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56 are present, within 100 hours TIS since-last-inspection.
(i) If any bolt fails the torque check, replace all eight bolts with P/N B–3339 bolts that are not from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56, or with FAA-approved equivalent part number bolts.
(j) Perform the actions specified in paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, using paragraphs 3.A through 3.B.(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Hartzell Propeller Inc. ASB No. HC–ASB–61–279, Revision 2, dated May 6, 2005.
(k) As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive visual inspections and torque checks required by this AD, replace all P/N B–3339, LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 and Lot No. 56 bolts with P/N B–3339 bolts that are not from LFC Manufacturing Lot No. 12 or Lot No. 56, or with FAA-approved equivalent part number bolts, within 12 months after the effective date of this AD. Use paragraph 3.C of Accomplishment Instructions of Hartzell Propeller Inc. ASB No. HC–ASB–61–279, Revision 2, dated May 6, 2005, to do the bolt replacement.
(l) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(m) AD 2004–21–01, Amendment 39–13822 (69 FR 60952) also pertains to the subject of this AD.
(n) You must use Hartzell Propeller Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. HC–ASB–61–279, and Alert Service Bulletin Appendix No. HC–ASBA–61–279, Revision 2, dated May 6, 2005, to perform the initial and repetitive visual inspections, torque checks, and bolt replacements required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Hartzell Propeller Inc. Technical Publications Department, One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356; telephone (937) 778–4200; fax (937) 778–4391, for a copy of this service information.
You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–0001, on the internet at