AD/PHZL/42 Amdt 5 - Propeller Feather Assist Spring Kit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include Part 39, which pertains to airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining and improving aviation safety. Specifically, the Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hartzell AD/PHZL/42 Amendment 5 addresses the need for a Feather Assist Spring Kit for certain propeller models. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by mandating specific modifications to propellers to prevent potential mechanical failures. The policy objective is to enhance the reliability and safety of aircraft by ensuring that the propellers meet the required standards through the incorporation of the Feather Assist Spring Kit, as specified in Hartzell Service Letter No 101 and Service Bulletin No 114D. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for specific propeller models and is required before installation in an aircraft following reconditioning after a specified date or at the next overhaul, recondition, or repair necessitating disassembly.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 107, govern the airworthiness directives concerning aircraft propellers, specifically targeting variable pitch propellers from Hartzell. This legislation applies to all model HC-E (Y-2) counterweight propellers, with particular emphasis on ensuring compliance with Hartzell Service Letter No 101 and Service Bulletin No 114D. The application extends to all model aircraft equipped with these propellers, necessitating the incorporation of the Feather Assist Spring Kit as specified in the directive. This regulation mandates compliance either before installation in an aircraft following the next reconditioning after 30 September 1977 or at the next overhaul, reconditioning, or repair necessitating disassembly, whichever comes first. The directive’s scope is comprehensive, ensuring that all relevant aircraft and propellers meet the specified safety standards to maintain airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the installation of the Feather Assist Spring Kit for Hartzell propellers. This AD, identified as AD/PHZL/42 Amendment 5, applies to all model HC-E Y -2 counterweight propellers and model HC- Y -2 counterweight propellers on all model aircraft, excluding those with an “E” extension (sections 1 and 2). The directive mandates the incorporation of Hartzell Service Letter No 101 and Hartzell Service Bulletin No 114D, ensuring that these components are installed before any aircraft's next reconditioning following 30 September 1977, or at the next overhaul, reconditioning, or repair that necessitates disassembly, whichever comes first (section 1). This update extends the requirement to include the "C" type (compact hub) propellers. Under this legislation, operators and maintainers of aircraft equipped with the specified Hartzell propellers have the obligation to comply with the requirements outlined in the AD. This includes ensuring that the Feather Assist Spring Kit is installed according to the specified timelines. The directive requires detailed record-keeping and certification to demonstrate compliance with the installation and maintenance schedules (section 1). The AD also mandates that any reconditioning, overhaul, reconditioning, or repair involving disassembly of the propeller must include the incorporation of the Feather Assist Spring Kit as per the specified requirements. Breach of this AD can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance with the installation requirements of the Feather Assist Spring Kit may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement action against operators who fail to comply with the AD. This could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties as deemed appropriate by CASA. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified within the AD itself but are outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations and may vary based on the severity and circumstances of the breach.