COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Fixed Pitch
AD/PFP/7
Amdt 3
Sensenich Propellers Operating Limitation 9/96
Applicability: All Sensenich model M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8 and 76EM8S( ) series propellers installed on Lycoming 0-360 series engines except propellers installed on 0-360-A4A, -A4D, -A4G, -A4J, -A4K, -A4M, -A4N, -A4P and -A5AD or additional
engines identified by suffixes having a digit "4" or higher in the second position which are exempt from the requirements of this Directive.
These propellers are installed on but not limited to the following aircraft. Piper PA- 28-180, PA-28-181, American General Aircraft Holding Co. Inc (formerly Gulfstream American) AA-5 series, Beech B23 and C23, Cessna 172Q, Avions Pierre Robin R-3000/160 and aircraft modified by various STC’s.
Requirement: 1. Avoid continuous engine operation between 2150 and 2350 RPM.
2. Unless previously carried out, either manufacture and install a placard in the aircraft adjacent to the engine RPM tachometer with the following words in letters at least 3.0 mm high. " AVOID CONTINUOUS OPERATION BETWEEN 2150 AND 2350 RPM." or, mark the engine RPM tachometer in the aircraft with a red arc from 2150 RPM to 2350 RPM.
Note 1: FAA AD 69-09-03 R3 Amdt 39-9583 refers in part. Note 2: AD/PFP/8 refers to the ‘K’ modification standard.
Compliance: For Requirement 1. On receipt of this directive with an effective date of 15 August 1996.
For Requirement 2. Unless previously carried out within 25 hours TIS from 15 August 1996.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that continuous operation between specific engine RPM may result in a propeller blade fatigue failure. This AD amendment includes additional propeller/engine combinations that are exempt from the AD requirements.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 16 May 1969. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 August 1969.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 September 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serves to regulate various aspects of civil aviation, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft. One specific legislative instrument within this framework is the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular instrument, AD/PFP/7 Amendment 3, focuses on the operating limitations for Sensenich propellers installed on certain Lycoming engines. The amendment was introduced to address the issue of propeller blade fatigue failure when operating within specific RPM ranges. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance aviation safety by preventing potential propeller failures that could result from continuous operation within hazardous RPM limits. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, requiring operators to avoid certain RPM ranges and implement visual warnings on engine tachometers to prevent such failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, mandate the Airworthiness Directives concerning propellers, including the AD/PFP/7 Amendment 3 for Sensenich propellers. This directive applies to Sensenich model M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 76EM8S series propellers installed on Lycoming 0-360 series engines. It explicitly excludes propellers installed on certain engine models, specifically those with a "4" or higher digit in the second position of their suffixes. These propellers are used in various aircraft such as the Piper PA-28-180, PA-28-181, AA-5 series, Beech B23 and C23, Cessna 172Q, and Avions Pierre Robin R-3000/160, among others. The directive requires operators to avoid continuous engine operation between 2150 and 2350 RPM to mitigate the risk of propeller blade fatigue failure. Furthermore, operators must either install a placard in the aircraft or mark the engine RPM tachometer to indicate the prohibited RPM range. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved by specific dates following the directive’s issuance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The directive in question, AD/PFP/7Amdt 3, pertains to Sensenich Propellers Operating Limitations for certain fixed-pitch propellers (section 1). The directive applies to Sensenich model M76EMM, M76EMMS, 76EM8, and 76EM8S series propellers installed on Lycoming 0-360 series engines, excluding those with specific suffixes noted in the directive (section 2). These propellers are used in a variety of aircraft, including Piper PA-28-180, PA-28-181, AA-5 series, Beech B23 and C23, Cessna 172Q, and Avions Pierre Robin R-3000/160, among others.
The directive includes two main requirements. Firstly, it mandates avoiding continuous engine operation between 2150 and 2350 RPM (section 3.1). Secondly, it requires the installation of a placard or marking on the engine RPM tachometer to indicate the RPM range to be avoided (section 3.2). The placard must display the warning "AVOID CONTINUOUS OPERATION BETWEEN 2150 AND 2350 RPM" in letters at least 3.0 mm high, or the tachometer must be marked with a red arc from 2150 to 2350 RPM (section 3.2). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved by the effective date of the directive, 15 August 1996, for the first requirement, and within 25 hours of Total Installation Time (TIS) from that date for the second requirement (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties governed include ensuring that the specified propellers do not operate continuously within the 2150-2350 RPM range and that appropriate warnings are visibly marked on the aircraft's engine RPM tachometer. This requirement applies to all relevant aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel who must comply with these specifications to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious safety risks, including the potential for propeller blade fatigue failure. The regulations do not explicitly state specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within the text provided. However, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the nature of the non-compliance, as outlined under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other relevant aviation regulations.