COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Fixed Pitch
AD/PFP/13
Amdt 3
McCauley 1A170 Propeller Hub - Inspection 4/83
Applicability: All aircraft fitted with Lycoming 0-360 Series engines/ McCauley 1A170/FFA fixed pitch propeller combination.
Requirement: 1. Remove propeller from the aircraft and remove spacer from the propeller.
2. Thoroughly remove and clean all paint material down to the anodised surface and inspect the centre relief bore (hole), all mounting bolt holes, and all external surfaces in the entire propeller hub area (faces and sides) for cracks using dye penetrant inspection methods.
3. If a crack is found, replace the propeller with a serviceable propeller before further flight.
Compliance: (a) For propellers with 190 or more hours time in service since new, or since the last dye penetrant inspection in accordance with this requirement, inspect within the next 25 hours time in service after 30th April 1983 and each succeeding 200 hours time in service thereafter.
(b) For propellers with less than 190 hours time in service since new, or since the last dye penetrant inspection in accordance with this requirement, inspect at the next maintenance release inspection or within the next 25 hours time in service, whichever occurs first and each succeeding 200 hours time in service thereafter.
(c) For propellers inspected in accordance with AD/PFP/13B inspect at 200 hours time in service after the last dye penetrant inspection and each succeeding 200 hours time in service thereafter.
Background: AD/PFP/13 thru 13B applied only to specific propeller serial numbers on a specific type aircraft. The FAA advise that this condition may exist and further develop on other installations fitted with these propellers. This Directive has been further raised in issue to reflect this.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 107 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, address critical safety issues in aircraft operations. One such directive is AD/PFP/13Amdt 3, which pertains to the inspection of McCauley 1A170 propeller hubs on aircraft equipped with Lycoming 0-360 Series engines. This amendment was enacted to mitigate the risk of cracks in the propeller hub, a potential safety hazard identified in certain propeller installations. The requirement aims to ensure that all aircraft with these specific engine and propeller combinations undergo regular inspections to maintain airworthiness and prevent in-flight failures.
The Australian Parliament, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established this directive to enhance aviation safety by providing specific inspection protocols for the identified propeller hub issue. The policy objective is to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft by mandating routine inspections and timely replacement of compromised propellers, thereby preventing potential accidents and maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandates the inspection of fixed pitch propellers for specific aircraft combinations. This directive applies to all aircraft equipped with Lycoming 0-360 Series engines and McCauley 1A170/FFA fixed pitch propellers. The primary requirement is to remove and clean the propeller, then conduct a thorough inspection of the propeller hub area for cracks using dye penetrant inspection methods. If any cracks are detected, the propeller must be replaced with a serviceable one before further flight. The inspection intervals vary based on the propeller's time in service, with inspections required at intervals of 25 hours for propellers with 190 or more hours since new or the last inspection, and every 200 hours thereafter. For propellers with less than 190 hours, inspections must occur at the next maintenance release or within 25 hours, whichever is earlier, followed by inspections every 200 hours thereafter. This directive extends to all relevant aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with national safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 107, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/PFP/13 Amendment 3, pertains to the McCauley 1A170 propeller hub. The directive applies to all aircraft equipped with Lycoming 0-360 Series engines and the McCauley 1A170/FFA fixed pitch propeller combination. The main requirement of this directive is to inspect the propeller hub for cracks by removing the propeller from the aircraft and cleaning it down to the anodised surface (section 1). The inspection must include the centre relief bore, all mounting bolt holes, and all external surfaces of the propeller hub (section 2). If any cracks are found during the inspection, the propeller must be replaced with a serviceable one before any further flight (section 3).
The compliance requirements for this directive vary based on the time in service of the propeller. For propellers that have accumulated 190 or more hours of service since new or since the last dye penetrant inspection in accordance with this requirement, the inspection must occur within the next 25 hours of service after April 30, 1983, and then every 200 hours of service thereafter (section (a)). For propellers with less than 190 hours of service, the inspection must occur at the next maintenance release inspection or within the next 25 hours of service, whichever comes first, and then every 200 hours of service thereafter (section (b)). If the propeller was inspected in accordance with AD/PFP/13B, the inspection must occur 200 hours after the last dye penetrant inspection and then every 200 hours of service thereafter (section (c)).
Breaches of these airworthiness directives can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. Non-compliance with CASA's airworthiness directives can result in penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges can be brought against the aircraft operator or responsible individuals. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations can vary, but they may include substantial fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any previous history of non-compliance. It is imperative that all relevant parties adhere to the directives to ensure the safety of aviation operations.