AD/PHZL/65 - Hub Pilot Tube Bore Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 107, establishes safety directives for various aviation components, including propellers, to ensure aircraft airworthiness. Specifically, AD/PHZL/65 addresses the inspection of hub pilot tube bores in certain Hartzell propellers, which were originally supplied to Mitsubishi and subsequently used on MU-2 series aircraft. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of fatigue cracking in the propeller hubs due to the increased stresses encountered when these hubs are installed on MU-2 series aircraft. The objective is to ensure that these components are safe for continued operation, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) established this directive to address the specific issue of potential fatigue cracking in propeller hub bores, particularly those used on MU-2 series aircraft. CASA's policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft components meet stringent safety standards, thus protecting both the aviation industry and the public from potential hazards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with inspections to be conducted in accordance with Hartzell Alert SB A186, ensuring that any signs of fatigue cracking are identified and rectified.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to all HC-B4 series propellers that might have been previously installed on MU-2 series aircraft and have not yet been inspected for hub bores in accordance with Hartzell Alerts SB A182 or A183. This regulation is applicable to a range of aircraft including Beech F90 King Air, A100 and A100A King Air, B100 King Air, CASA C-212-CB, CASA C-212-CC, CF, DeHavilland Heron - Saunders Conversion ST-27B, Dornier Do 228-100, -101, -200, -201, -202 and -212, Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu, Fairchild SA226-TB Merlin IIIB, Let L-410A, and Shorts SC-7 series 3, variant 200. It is important to note that hubs that have already been inspected in line with AD/PHZL/64 are exempt from the requirements of this directive. Compliance with the regulation mandates that action be taken in accordance with Hartzell Alert SB A186 dated 25 January 1994, as referenced in FAA AD 94-03-11 amdt 39-8818. The compliance must be carried out as specified in the requirement document. The scope of the regulation extends to the Commonwealth jurisdiction and impacts the aviation industry by ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified propellers.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, includes the Airworthiness Directive AD/PHZL/65, which addresses the inspection of hub pilot tube bores in certain propellers. Section 107 of the Regulations mandates that all HC-B4 series propellers, which may have been previously installed on MU-2 series aircraft, must undergo inspection if they have not already been inspected in accordance with Hartzell Alert SB A182 or A183. This directive applies to a variety of aircraft types, including Beech F90 King Air, A100 and A100A King Air, B100 King Air, CASA C-212-CB, CASA C-212-CC, CF, DeHaviland Heron - Saunders Conversion ST-27B, Dornier Do 228-100, -101, -200, -201, -202 and -212, Embraer EMB-121A1 Xingu, Fairchild SA226-TB Merlin IIIB, Let L-410A and Shorts SC-7 series 3, variant 200, among others. However, hubs that have already been inspected according to AD/PHZL/64 are exempt from the requirements of this directive. Entities and individuals subject to this directive must ensure that the required inspections are carried out as per the specified Hartzell Alert SB A186 dated 25 January 1994. The compliance with this directive must be in accordance with the requirement document, which includes the necessary procedures and standards to be met. Failure to comply with the directive can result in significant safety risks, as the directive aims to identify and mitigate the potential for fatigue cracking in the hub pilot tube bores, which can compromise the structural integrity of the propellers. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose strict obligations on the parties involved, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance organisations. They must ensure that all applicable propellers are inspected in accordance with the directive. This involves conducting thorough visual and non-destructive testing of the hub bores to identify any signs of fatigue cracking. The compliance process includes documenting the inspection results, maintaining records, and implementing any necessary repairs or replacements if defects are found. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against non-compliant entities, which can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the directive but generally reflect the severity of the non-compliance and the associated risk to aviation safety. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals found to be in breach of the regulations.