AD/PMC/52 Propeller Blade Erosion (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley

AD/PMC/52 Propeller Blade Erosion 9/2008

Applicability:

McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0.

Note 1:  These propellers are installed on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Jetstream Model 4100 and 4101series airplanes (Jetstream 41).

Requirement:

1.    Life Limit:

Remove all 114GCA-0, L114GCA-0, 114HCA-0, and L114HCA-0 propeller blades upon reaching 10,000 operating hours time-since-new.

2.    Initial Propeller Blade Inspection:

Perform an initial fluorescent penetrant inspection and eddy current inspection of propeller blades, using the equipment required and Accomplishment Instructions of McCauley Propellers Alert Service Bulletin ASB255, dated 8 January 2007.

3.    Propeller Blades Found Cracked:

Remove from service propeller blades found with any crack indications.  Blades found with crack indications are no longer eligible for installation in any configuration.  Do not install them in any configuration on any airframe.

4.    Repetitive Propeller Blade Inspection:

Repeat the inspections detailed in Requirement 2 of this AD.

5.    Inspection for Blunt Erosion on the Leading Edge of the Propeller Blade:

Inspect the blade for erosion and, if necessary, repair the erosion.

The McCauley Propeller Systems Blade Overhaul Manual No. BOM 100, contains information on inspecting and repairing erosion on the propeller blade.

6.    Reporting Requirements:

Use the Reporting Form for Service Bulletin 255 to report all inspection findings to McCauley Propeller Systems.

Note 2:  FAA AD 2008-08-01 Amdt 39-15453 dated 31 March 2008 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1:

From the effective date of this AD.

For Requirement 2:

In accordance with the following Table of this AD.

If the Propeller Blade	Then Inspect the Propeller Blade
Has more than 2,400 operating hours time since-new (TSN), time-since-last inspection (TSLI), or time-since-overhaul (TSO).	Within 100 operating hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.
Has 2,400 or fewer operating hours TSN, TSLI, or TSO.	Upon reaching 2,500 operating hours TSN, TSLI, or TSO.

For Requirement 3:

Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.

For Requirement 4:

Repetitively within 2,500 operating hours TSLI or TSO.

For Requirement 5:

Every time the propeller is removed for the inspection for cracks.

For Requirement 6:

Within 10 calendar days of the inspection.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 August 2008.

Background: The FAA has determined that repetitive inspections for cracks, due to a number of reports of blunt leading edges of the propeller blades due to erosion.  This AD is intended to detect cracks in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane, and to detect blunt leading edges on the propeller blades, which could cause airplane single engine climb performance degradation and could result in an increased risk of collision with terrain.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 July 2008