AD/PHS/20 Amdt 2 - Propeller Blade Shanks

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, addresses the safety and maintenance of aircraft components, including propellers. The regulation was enacted to ensure that all civil aviation operations in Australia comply with safety standards that mitigate risks to passengers and crew. This particular regulation was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is the body responsible for enforcing and maintaining aviation safety standards in Australia. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy and that all maintenance actions are carried out in accordance with specified directives to prevent in-flight failures. This legislative instrument aims to mandate specific actions to address issues related to propeller blade shanks on certain aircraft, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate compliance with specific airworthiness directives to address the identified risk of in-flight loss of propeller blades on certain Embraer 120 aircraft. This requirement was introduced in response to reports of propeller blade failures, which necessitated immediate action to prevent potential accidents. The regulation requires aircraft operators to follow the guidance provided by Hamilton Standard Service Bulletins and Alert Service Bulletins, ensuring that any necessary inspections and repairs are completed by specified deadlines. The enforcement of these directives is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which aims to maintain the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, mandate the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and safety requirements for certain aircraft components. The legislation in question concerns AD/PHS/20 Amendment 2, focusing on propeller blade shanks for the Hamilton Standard model 14RF-9 propellers. These propellers are installed on various aircraft, with a particular reference to the Embraer 120 aircraft, where the blade serial number is below 885751. The directive applies to all such propellers, ensuring that they meet specific safety standards to prevent in-flight failures. The requirement is to adhere to Hamilton Standard Service Bulletin No 14RF-9-61-86 Revision 4 or Hamilton Standard Alert Service Bulletin 14RF-9-61-A90, as applicable, and to Hamilton Standard Alert Service Bulletin 14RF-9-61-A92 Revision 2, which applies to all blades, including those that failed the inspection under the first requirement. Compliance must be achieved by specific deadlines: Requirement 1 must be completed by 22 May 1996, and Requirement 2 by 31 August 1996, unless already addressed. The directive is part of a broader regulatory framework that also references FAA and Brazilian safety directives, thereby extending its jurisdictional reach to international aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, provide detailed directives for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft components, including propellers. In this instance, the regulation pertains to the variable pitch propellers made by Hamilton Standard, focusing on the blade shanks of model 14RF-9 propellers, particularly those with a blade serial number below 885751 (107.03). These propellers are commonly installed on Embraer 120 aircraft. The regulation mandates specific actions to ensure the safety of these propellers, aligning with Hamilton Standard Service Bulletin No 14RF-9-61-86 Revision 4 or Hamilton Standard Alert Service Bulletin 14RF-9-61-A90, as applicable (107.03(1)). Additionally, it requires compliance with Hamilton Standard Alert Service Bulletin 14RF-9-61-A92 Revision 2, which applies to all propeller blades, including those that failed the initial inspection (107.03(2)). Compliance with these directives is crucial for all parties involved, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and owners of Embraer 120 aircraft. They are required to ensure that the specified actions are carried out by certain deadlines. Specifically, Requirement 1 must be completed prior to 22 May 1996 if not already done, and Requirement 2 must be fulfilled by 31 August 1996, unless the actions have already been taken (107.03). These deadlines underscore the urgency and importance of adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines to prevent in-flight incidents such as the loss of propeller blades, which has been reported in the past. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. The regulation does not explicitly outline penalties within the provided text, but non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in severe repercussions. These may include fines, the grounding of non-compliant aircraft, or even the suspension or revocation of an aircraft operator’s certificate. Additionally, civil or criminal penalties may apply depending on the severity and intent behind the non-compliance, potentially involving significant financial penalties and imprisonment for individuals found responsible for gross negligence.