AD 2020-19-06
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | McCauley Propeller Systems | Governors | Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems |
| appliance | McCauley Propeller Systems | Governors | Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems |
Unsafe Condition
The non-conforming idler gear bearing could have also been included in the idler gear assembly (idler gear and bearing), P/N A-20107, or the governor overhaul kit, P/N PL-20233 or PL-20234. The non-conformity of the bearing may cause premature failure of the idler gear bearing. Early symptoms that the idler gear bearing may fail include inability of the governor to hold the selected RPM, hunting, surging, etc.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Replacing an affected governor with a governor that is eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the idler gear bearing, which could result in failure of the governor, loss of propeller pitch control, engine and propeller over speed, engine oil contamination, and loss of airplane control.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Before further flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
McCauley Propeller Systems, all models of governors with an idler gear bearing with P/N A-20028 installed, part marking BA 59, or the idler gear assembly (idler gear and bearing), P/N A-20107, or the governor overhaul kit, P/N PL-20233 or PL-20234.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain model McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed on airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant McCauley idler gear bearing, part number (P/N) A-20028, that could be installed in the affected governors. This AD requires replacing the governor with a governor that is eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley)
governors specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD and
installed on airplanes, certificated in any category.
(1) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley Alert Service Bulletin
No. ASB273C, dated January 30, 2019 (McCauley ASB273C) with a serial
number from 170061 through 180501, excluding the serial numbers
listed in table 1 of McCauley ASB273C; or
(2) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley ASB273C, with any
serial number, that have an installation date after January 31,
2017, or an installation date that cannot be determined.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60885-60887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21440]
[[Page 60885]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0320; Project Identifier 2019-CE-011-AD; Amendment
39-21248; AD 2020-19-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McCauley Propeller Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain model McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed
on airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant
McCauley idler gear bearing, part number (P/N) A-20028, that could be
installed in the affected governors. This AD requires replacing the
governor with a governor that is eligible for installation. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 3,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact McCauley Propeller Systems, One Cessna Boulevard, P.O. Box
7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (800) 621-7767 or (316) 831-
4021; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#58282a373c2d3b2c2b2d2828372a2c182c202c392e763b3735"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3141435e55445245424441415e43457145494550471f525e5c">[email protected]</span></a>; internet: <a href="https://mccauley.txtav.com">https://mccauley.txtav.com</a>. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on
the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0320.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0320; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209;
telephone: (316) 946-4196; fax: (316) 946-4107; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e7a6661636f7d207a6b7e6267654e686f6f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cabea2a5a7abb9e4beafbaa6a3a18aacababe4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#02556b616a6b76632f414d51426463632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ffa8969c97968b9ed2bcb0acbf999e9ed1989089">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain model McCauley
Propeller Systems (McCauley) governors installed on airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2020 (85 FR 19399). The
NPRM was prompted by reports from McCauley that an unapproved variant
idler gear bearing, P/N A-20028, was installed on certain governors
during production between January 31, 2017, and September 27, 2018, and
may have been installed on governors in service after January 31, 2017.
The unapproved variant of the idler gear bearing does not conform to
McCauley drawing requirements.
All models of McCauley governors have an idler gear bearing with P/
N A-20028 installed; however, the unapproved variant of the bearing can
be identified by part marking ``BA 59.'' The non-conforming idler gear
bearing could have also been included in the idler gear assembly (idler
gear and bearing), P/N A-20107, or the governor overhaul kit, P/N PL-
20233 or PL-20234.
The non-conformity of the bearing may cause premature failure of
the idler gear bearing. Early symptoms that the idler gear bearing may
fail include inability of the governor to hold the selected RPM,
hunting, surging, etc. An investigation identified 23 occurrences of
airplane operation problems related to erratic governor behavior that
may have resulted from the unapproved idler gear bearing.
The NPRM proposed to require replacing an affected governor with a
governor eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the idler gear bearing, which could result in
failure of the governor, loss of propeller pitch control, engine and
propeller over speed, engine oil contamination, and loss of airplane
control.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Supportive Comments
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia, David
Paynter, and Chartair Pty Ltd supported the NPRM.
Request To Clarify the Applicability
CASA, David Paynter, and Chartair Pty Ltd requested the FAA clarify
the applicability with respect to the idle gearing bearings affected by
the unsafe condition.
CASA advised of similar incidents of premature failure in idler
gear bearings identified by part marking ``SCE 59'' and asked whether
the FAA has determined that the unsafe condition exists or can develop
in idler gear bearings other than those identified with ``BA 59.''
David Paynter expressed concern with governors that have ``SCE 59''
bearings or bearings with ``BA 59'' that do not have any country of
origin stamped on them. Chartair Pty Ltd stated it has experienced
bearing failures outside of the range identified in the NPRM. David
Paynter and Chartair Pty Ltd requested the FAA change the AD to include
these additional bearings.
The FAA disagrees. The A-20028 bearing identified with ``BA 59'' is
an unapproved bearing that does not conform to McCauley drawing
requirements. Although the FAA is aware of failures of bearings other
than those stamped with ``BA 59'', these bearings do not demonstrate
the same unsafe condition as identified in this AD. The FAA will
continue to monitor McCauley governor field reports for issues
involving bearings other than those stamped with ``BA 59''.
The FAA did not make changes to this AD as a result of these
comments.
Request To Clarify the Required Actions
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) requested the FAA
clarify paragraph (f), Compliance, of the NPRM. AOPA stated that the
proposed language in paragraph (f) of the proposed AD to replace the
governor with a governor eligible for installation can be misleading
and imply that the governor must be replaced with a new or overhauled
governor regardless of the status of the existing governor.
The FAA disagrees. Paragraph (f) of this AD requires compliance,
unless already done. Thus, the AD allows
[[Page 60886]]
operators to take credit for replacing the governor with a governor
eligible for installation if done before the effective date of the AD.
If the existing governor does not have an idler gear bearing with a
part marking ``BA 59'', then compliance is already done.
No changes to this AD are necessary based on this comment.
Request To Clarify the Installation Prohibition
AOPA requested the FAA clarify the wording in paragraph (h), Parts
Installation Prohibition, of the NPRM. AOPA stated the language does
not convey whether replacing the affected idle gear bearing in the
governor terminates the AD.
The FAA disagrees. This AD does not require repetitive actions;
therefore, terminating action is inappropriate. The installation
prohibition ensures that affected governors will not be replaced with a
part that has the unsafe condition. Once the affected governor is
replaced in accordance with the requirements of this AD, no further
action is required. The FAA did not make changes to this AD as a result
of this comment.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously.
The FAA has determined that these changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the proposal in the NPRM for
addressing the unsafe condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed McCauley Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB273C, dated
January 30, 2019. The service bulletin contains model and serial number
information to identify the affected governors. The service bulletin
also contains procedures for removing the governor from the engine,
inspecting the governor for the unapproved variant idler gear bearing,
replacing the idler gear bearing or idler gear assembly if necessary,
overhauling the governor if necessary, and installing a governor on the
engine. 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 the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,500 governors as installed
in airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove affected governor.......... 1 work-hour x $85 per Not Applicable....... $85 $212,500
hour = $85.
Install a governor................ 1 work-hour x $85 per See table below...... Variable Unknown
hour = $85.
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An operator has the option to pay a service center to inspect their
existing governor and replace the idler gear bearing if necessary or
pay to have their existing governor overhauled. An operator has the
option to purchase a factory new governor or an overhauled governor, a
feathering/syncing governor or a non-feathering/syncing governor. The
FAA has no way of knowing what option an operator may take to obtain a
governor eligible for installation. Therefore, the FAA has no way of
determining the parts cost on U.S. operators. The following represents
the estimated parts cost associated with obtaining a governor.
Cost for an Eligible Governor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of
Type of governor governor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factory new non-feathering/non-syncing governor......... 2,000
Factory new feathering/syncing governor................. 9,000
Overhaul of existing non-feathering/non-syncing governor 1,000
Overhaul of existing feathering/syncing governor........ 3,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost
estimate.
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 govement.
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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 60887]]
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2020-19-06 McCauley Propeller Systems: Amendment 39-21248; Docket
No. FAA-2020-0320; Project Identifier 2019-CE-011-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 3, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the McCauley Propeller Systems (McCauley)
governors specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD and
installed on airplanes, certificated in any category.
(1) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley Alert Service Bulletin
No. ASB273C, dated January 30, 2019 (McCauley ASB273C) with a serial
number from 170061 through 180501, excluding the serial numbers
listed in table 1 of McCauley ASB273C; or
(2) Models listed in table 2 of McCauley ASB273C, with any
serial number, that have an installation date after January 31,
2017, or an installation date that cannot be determined.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 61, Propellers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of an unapproved variant idler
gear bearing, McCauley part number (P/N) A-20028, installed on
governors. All models of McCauley governors have a bearing with P/N
A-20028 installed; however, the unapproved variant can be identified
with the part marking ``BA 59.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the idler gear bearing. This failure could result
in failure of the governor, loss of propeller pitch control, engine
and propeller over speed, engine oil contamination, and loss of
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Unless already done, within 50 hours time-in-service after the
effective date of this AD or within 24 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the governor with a
governor eligible for installation.
Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: Any model McCauley governor
that is stamped with the letter B, as specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions in McCauley ASB273C, has already
complied with the requirements of this AD.
(g) Definition
For the purposes of this AD, a governor eligible for
installation is defined as a governor that does not have an idler
gear bearing with a part marking ``BA 59'' installed.
(h) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
airplane a McCauley governor unless it is a governor eligible for
installation.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Wichita 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 (j) 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.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Thomas Teplik,
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4196; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#592d313634382a772d3c29353032193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="780c101715190b560c1d08141113381e1919561f170e">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#22754b414a4b56430f616d71624443430c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="54033d373c3d203579171b07143235357a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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) McCauley Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB273C, dated January
30, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For McCauley Propeller Systems service information
identified in this AD, contact McCauley Propeller Systems, One
Cessna Boulevard, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone:
(800) 621-7767 or (316) 831-4021; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#38484a575c4d5b4c4b4d4848574a4c784c404c594e165b5755"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5121233e35243225222421213e23251125292530277f323e3c">[email protected]</span></a>;
internet: <a href="https://mccauley.txtav.com">https://mccauley.txtav.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
(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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99fffcfdebfcfeb7f5fcfef8f5d9f7f8ebf8b7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2b28293f282a6321282a2c210d232c3f2c632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on September 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21440 Filed 9-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 4, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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