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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; Project Identifier AD-2023-00510-P;
Amendment 39-22721; AD 2024-07-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
Propellers
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Hamilton Sundstrand) Model 14SF-7,
14SF-15, and 14SF-23 propellers. This AD was prompted by a report of an
auxiliary motor and pump failing to feather a propeller in flight. This
AD requires replacing a certain auxiliary motor and pump. This AD also
prohibits installation of a certain auxiliary motor and pump. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 3, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 3,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1820; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Hamilton Sundstrand, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT
06096-1010, phone: (877) 808-7575; email: CRC@collins.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1820.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone:
(781) 238-7649; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Hamilton Sundstrand
Corporation (Hamilton Sundstrand) Model 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23
propellers. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 7,
2023 (88 FR 61480). The NPRM was prompted by a report of an auxiliary
motor and pump installed on a non-Hamilton Sundstrand propeller failing
to feather the propeller in flight through either the primary or the
backup means. The failure was caused by motor magnets in the auxiliary
motor and pump that were de-bonded due to corrosion at the magnet and
housing interface. The de-bonded motor magnets prevented motor
rotation. Hamilton Sundstrand Model 14SF-7, 14SF-15, and 14SF-23
propellers use the same auxiliary motor and pump. These propellers are
installed on, but not limited to, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited (Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc.) Model
DHC-8-100 series, DHC-8-200 series, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced
controllability of the aircraft and consequent loss of control of the
aircraft.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the removal from service
of an auxiliary motor and pump having part number (P/N) 782655-3
(Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-006009) and replacement with an auxiliary motor
and pump having P/N 782655-4 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-056000). In the
NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit the installation of an
auxiliary motor and pump having P/N 782655-3 (Aerocontrolex P/N 4122-
006009) on any propeller. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from three commenters. The commenters
were Collins Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and an individual.
Sierra Nevada Corporation noted that the AD does not apply to its fleet
and had no objection to the NPRM. Two commenters, Collins Aerospace and
an individual, recommended certain changes. The following presents the
comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.
Request To Clarify the Use of "Any Propeller" in the NPRM
Two commenters, Collins Aerospace and an individual, observed that
the use of the phrase ``any propeller'' in the NPRM causes confusion.
The commenters noted that the phrase ``any propeller'' appears three
times in the subject NPRM. Collins Aerospace stated that this use of
``any propeller'' language has caused some confusion related to AD
2023-16-06 [Amendment 39-22525 (88 FR 63513, September 15, 2023)]. An
individual also observed that the use of the word ``also'' in the
sentence, ``This AD also prohibits installation of a certain auxiliary
motor and pump on any propeller,'' in the Summary section
of the proposed rule indicates or implies the prohibition is for other
propellers in addition to what is identified in the applicability. The
commenters requested that the FAA remove the phrase ``any propeller''
from all preamble and regulatory text regarding an installation
prohibition in the AD. The commenters also requested that the FAA write
the prohibition to show that it only pertains to the propeller models
listed in this AD.
The FAA agrees to clarify regarding the use of the phrase ``any
propeller'' and whether the prohibition only applies to the propeller
models list in the AD. For clarification, all of the requirements of an
AD can apply only to the propellers listed in the applicability. To
eliminate any confusion, however, the FAA revised paragraph (h) of this
final rule, Installation Prohibition, to specify that the installation
prohibition applies to any propeller identified in paragraph (c) of
this AD.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, and
any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on
any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin (SB) 14SF-61-
168, Revision 1, dated December 21, 2016. This service information
specifies instructions for replacing the auxiliary motor and pump.
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation is a UTC Aerospace Systems Company.
This service information is identified as both Hamilton Sundstrand
Corporation and UTC Aerospace Systems. 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
ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 180 propellers installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Replace auxiliary motor and pump |
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$11,000
|
$11,170
|
$2,010,600
|
| Perform post-installation system
test |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
0
|
85
|
15,300
|
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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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