DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0102; Directorate Identifier 2010-NE-09-AD] RIN 2120
-AA64
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES; Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. Prop-
eller Governors, Part Numbers C210776, T210761, D210760, and J210761
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.
propeller governors, part numbers (P/Ns) C210776, T210761, D210760, and
J210761. This proposed AD would require removal of the affected propeller
governors from service. This proposed AD results from three reports
received of failed propeller governors. We are proposing this AD to
prevent loss of propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller governor,
and internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued safe
flight or safe landing.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 14, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed
AD.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Contact Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., 20400 Plummer Sreet,
Chatsworth, CA 91311, e-mail: Bill.nolan@ontic.com; telephone (818) 725
-2323; fax (818) 725-2535; or e-mail: Susan.hunt@ontic.com; telephone
(818) 725-2121; fax (818) 725-2535, or on the Web at
http://www.ontic.com/pdf/SB-DES-353_Rev_A.pdf for a copy of the service
information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; e-mail:
roger.pesuit@faa.gov; telephone (562) 627-5251, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
COMMENTS INVITED
We invite you to send us any written relevant data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2010-0102; Directorate Identifier 2010
-NE-09-AD" in the subject line of your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with
FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
the Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including, if provided, the name of the individual who sent the comment
(or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
EXAMINING THE AD DOCKET
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is the same as the Mail
address provided in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
DISCUSSION
We received three reports of failure of Ontic Engineering and
Manufacturing, Inc. propeller governors. One of the reports was of a
Diamond DA-40 airplane losing propeller pitch control during flight. The
propeller governor controls propeller pitch by regulating oil pressure to
the propeller pitch change mechanism. Changes in governor oil pressure are
made by small changes in axial displacement of the governor's pilot valve
plunger assembly. A fly weight governor opposes a compressed spring that
rides on a collar which forms a part of the pilot valve plunger assembly.
Investigation revealed that the set screw securing the collar to the pilot
valve plunger assembly shaft may not be installed properly on a batch of
parts permitting the pilot valve plunger to float on the shaft. The pilot
valve shaft plunger and captive thrust bearing are then free to move
axially along the pilot valve shaft. When the pilot valve is unconstrained
in the axial direction, the propeller governor cannot control oil pressure
to the propeller pitch control mechanism. This results in a loss of
propeller pitch control. Further, concurrent thrust bearing failure
permits bearing debris to flow with the oil into the engine lubrication
system. The engine in the incident airplane was internally damaged as a
result of a propeller governor bearing ball becoming lodged between the
valve lifter and engine case. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in loss of propeller pitch control, damage to the propeller
governor, and internal damage to the engine, which could prevent continued
safe flight or safe landing.
RELEVANT SERVICE INFORMATION
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of Ontic Engineering
and Manufacturing, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. SB-DES-353,
Revision A, dated December 16, 2009. That MSB lists the affected propeller
governors by P/N and S/N, and describes procedures for returning them to
the manufacturer for repair.
FAA'S DETERMINATION AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROPOSED AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe
condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this
same type design. We are proposing this AD, which would require removal of
affected propeller governors from service. The proposed AD would require
you to use the service information described previously to identify the
affected S/Ns of propeller governors.
COSTS OF COMPLIANCE
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 45 propeller governors
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about four work-hours per airplane to perform the proposed actions,
and that the average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required repair
parts would cost about $842 per propeller governor. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators
to be $83,790. Our cost estimate is exclusive of possible warranty
coverage.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed AD:
1. Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Pro-
cedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Would 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD. You may get a copy of this summary at the address listed
under ADDRESSES.
LIST OF SUBJECTS IN 14 CFR PART 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal
Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive: