AD 2004-12-10

This AD becomes effective July 19, 2004.

You can get the service information identified in this AD from Hamilton Sundstrand, A United Technologies Company, Publications Manager, Mail Stop 2AM-EE50, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096.

You may examine the AD docket, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7158; fax (781) 238-7170.

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 with a proposed airworthiness directive (AD). The proposed AD applies to certain serial-numbered propeller blades installed in Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (formerly Hamilton Standard Division) 568F propellers. We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on December 2, 2003 (68 FR 67385). That action proposed to require replacement of propeller blades, P/Ns R815505-3 and R815505-4 that have a SN of FR1699 to FR20021010, with serviceable blades.

You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the location.

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.

One commenter requests that the Cost of Compliance statement be clarified to indicate that the blade removal cost is for AD compliance only. The commenter has concerns regarding potential liabilities for the worldwide fleet if the AD does not distinguish between the removals for normally scheduled maintenance and unscheduled removals for AD compliance.

The FAA agrees in part. We have clarified the Cost of Compliance statement in the AD to reflect removals for this AD. We do not agree with including worldwide costs in this AD because worldwide costs are not within the scope of the FAA authority.

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

We estimate that 24 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation 568F propellers with suspect blades installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD. We estimate it will take about 4 work hours per propeller to remove and replace suspect blades, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the total labor cost of the AD to U.S. operators to be $6,240.

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); 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 by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 2003-NE-48-AD” in your request.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):