2022-08-10: Propeller Blade Section

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-12-07, Amendment 39-21142 (85 FR 36145, June 15, 2020); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-08-10 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation: Amendment 39-22013; Docket No. FAA-2021-0032; Project Identifier AD-2020-01314-P. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 27, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-12-07, Amendment 39-21142 (85 FR 36145, June 15, 2020). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Hamilton Sundstrand) 54H model propellers with a propeller hub, model 54H60, installed. Note to paragraph (c): Hamilton Sundstrand references propeller model 54H60 in Hamilton Sundstrand Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 54H60-61-A154, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2020. These are model 54H propellers with a 54H60 model propeller hub. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6111, Propeller Blade Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the separation of a propeller blade that resulted in the loss of an airplane and 17 fatalities. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect cracking in the propeller blade taper bore. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the propeller blade, blade separation, and loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For propellers with an installed propeller blade having a blade serial number (S/N) below 813320, that has not been overhauled within the past sixty (60) months, within one year or 500 flight hours (FHs) after July 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-07), whichever occurs first, perform an eddy current inspection (ECI) of all blades installed on the propeller. (2) For propellers with an installed propeller blade having a blade S/N below 813320, that has been overhauled within the past sixty (60) months, within two years or 1,000 FHs after July 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-07), whichever occurs first, perform an ECI of all blades installed on the propeller. (3) For propellers with an installed propeller blade, blade S/N 813320 and above, that has not been overhauled within ten years since new or since last overhaul, within one year or 500 FHs after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an ECI of all blades installed on the propeller. (4) Perform the ECI of the propeller blades required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(5), of both Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A154, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2020, and of Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A155, dated May 29, 2020. (5) For all propellers identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this AD at intervals not exceeding 3 years or 1,500 FHs, whichever comes first, from the previous inspection. (6) If a propeller blade fails any inspection required by this AD, based on the criteria in Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(5)(g) of Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A154, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2020, and paragraph 3.C.(5)(j) of Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A155, dated May 29, 2020, remove the blade from service before further flight and replace with a blade eligible for installation. (7) Report the results of the ECI required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (5) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C.(6), of Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A154, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2020. (h) Installation Prohibition (1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install onto any propeller a Hamilton Sundstrand propeller blade identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, unless the blade has first passed the initial inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this AD. (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any propeller assembly with a propeller blade identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD onto any aircraft unless the propeller blades have first passed the initial inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this AD. Note to paragraph (h)(2): Operators may install a propeller assembly with a propeller blade identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD if the propeller blade assembly is not disassembled and the propeller blades are not yet due for an ECI as required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this AD. (i) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the initial ECI of a propeller blade required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD and the replacement of a propeller blade required by paragraph (g)(6) of this AD if the actions were completed before the effective date of this AD using Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A154, dated August 26, 2019. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7761; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected] . (l) 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) Hamilton Sundstrand Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 54H60-61-A154, Revision 1, dated May 29, 2020. (ii) Hamilton Sundstrand ASB 54H60-61-A155, dated May 29, 2020. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Hamilton Sundstrand, 1 Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1010; phone: (877) 808-7575; email: [email protected]. (4) 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. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on April 7, 2022. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-08539 Filed 4-21-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P