Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Hartzell Propeller Inc. models ( )HC-( )( )Y( )-( )( )( ) compact series, constant speed or feathering propellers with Hartzell manufactured "Y" shank aluminum blades. That AD currently requires initial blade inspections, with no repetitive inspections; rework of all "Y" shank aluminum blades including cold rolling of the blade shank retention radius, blade replacement and modification of pitch change mechanisms for certain propeller models; and changing the airplane operating limitations with specific models of propellers installed. This proposed AD would require the same actions but would clarify certain areas of the compliance and would update a certain service bulletin (SB) reference to the most recent SB. This proposed AD results from operators requesting clarification of certain portions of AD 2002-09-08. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the propeller blade from fatigue cracks in theblade shank radius, which can result in damage to the airplane and loss of airplane control.