COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hamilton Standard
AD/PHS/8 Counterweight Bearing Shaft - Inspection 12/65
Applicability: All model 2D30, 3D40 and 12D40.
Requirement: 1. Remove the propeller counterweight cap, counterweight adjusting screw and nuts.
2. Remove grease from head of shaft P/N 53546.
3. Examine head of shaft for all of the following marks: “53546J”, “XLO” (contained in an oval stamp) and “SK”.
4. Remove any shaft so marked for hardness testing. The shaft should be 26.6 to 32.6 Rockwell “C” scale. Any shaft not meeting this figure shall be rejected.
Note: To facilitate examination of the shaft head remove split pin locking the shaft and rotate shaft with Allen key.
or AD/PHAM/1.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 15 February 1966.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically address the maintenance and safety requirements for civil aviation, particularly focusing on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft components. Part 39 of these regulations, which includes the Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to fill the gap in maintaining stringent safety standards across the civil aviation sector. The objective is to ensure that aircraft and their components are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition, thus protecting the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the relevant body responsible for enforcing these regulations, with the overarching policy objective being to enhance the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia by issuing and enforcing compliance with Airworthiness Directives such as AD/PHS/8, which pertains to the inspection of counterweight bearing shafts for Hamilton Standard propellers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to the safety directives concerning aircraft propellers, more precisely to the model 2D30, 3D40, and 12D40 within the Hamilton Standard series. This regulation mandates that all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance providers comply with the stipulated inspection and maintenance procedures. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia and enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive specifies the inspection and testing procedures for the counterweight bearing shaft of these propellers, ensuring the shaft meets specific hardness requirements to maintain airworthiness standards. The directive also provides a clear timeline for compliance, requiring that the inspection and necessary actions be completed within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following 15 February 1966. This regulation does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but relies on the detailed procedural requirements to ensure compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 107, address the inspection requirements for certain propellers used in aircraft. Section AD/PHS/8 focuses on the inspection of the counterweight bearing shaft for variable pitch propellers, particularly those from Hamilton Standard. This section applies to all model 2D30, 3D40, and 12D40 propellers. The primary requirement outlined is a detailed inspection procedure involving several steps. First, the propeller counterweight cap, counterweight adjusting screw, and nuts must be removed (Section 1). Next, any grease present on the head of the shaft P/N 53546 must be cleaned off (Section 2). The inspector must then examine the head of the shaft for specific markings: "53546J", "XLO" (contained in an oval stamp), and "SK" (Section 3). Any shaft displaying these markings must be removed for hardness testing, where the hardness should fall within the range of 26.6 to 32.6 Rockwell "C" scale. If the shaft does not meet this specification, it must be rejected (Section 4).
Under these regulations, there are clear obligations for the parties involved. Owners or operators of aircraft equipped with the specified propellers must ensure compliance with the inspection requirements within 100 hours of time in service after 15 February 1966. This includes the removal and detailed examination of the counterweight shaft as prescribed. Additionally, if any shaft does not meet the hardness requirements, it must be replaced with a compliant one. Failure to adhere to these inspection protocols could result in significant safety issues, thereby placing the aircraft and its occupants at risk.
Breach of these regulations can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take action against non-compliance, which could include fines and other penalties. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the provided text, but generally, such breaches can result in civil penalties, including fines up to a substantial amount, as well as criminal charges for serious safety violations. Ensuring adherence to these requirements is crucial for maintaining airworthiness and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board.