AD/Prop/2 Amdt 4 Feathering Propellers Functional Check (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below repeals Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PROP/2 Amdt 3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR 1998 and subsection 33 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct an 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 - General

AD/PROP/2 Amdt 4 Feathering Propellers - Functional Check 5/2016

Applicability:

All feathering propellers fitted to piston engine aircraft to which Part 42 of CASR 1998 applies.

Requirement:

Conduct a ground functional check to ensure the propellers will fully feather within the aircraft manufacturer's specified time limits.

Compliance:

At intervals not exceeding 110 hours time in service or 12 calendar months, whichever occurs first.

The effective date of this AD is 26 February 2016.

Background:

To ensure propellers are capable of feathering when required, a ground functional check is introduced. Regular feathering of propellers will reduce the engine oil sludge build up in the propeller dome and aid in redistribution of grease in blade bearings.

Amendment 1 incorporated manufacturers' time limits to the feathering check.

Amendment 2 introduced an annual inspection requirement.

Amendment 3 increased the hourly interval to 110 hours to align the interval with common maintenance intervals.

Amendment 4 is issued to limit the applicability of the AD to Part 42 aircraft only. This AD will be repealed after the requirements are incorporated into a future amendment of the Part 42 Manual of Standards.

Pieter van Dijk
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

22 February 2016