AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 2 - Hartzell X and V Shank Propellers

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hartzell

AD/PHZL/69

Amdt 2

Hartzell X and V Shank Propellers 13/2003

Applicability: All () HC- ()(2,3)(X, V)()-() series and HA-A2V20-1B propellers with aluminium blades.

Note 1: The parenthesis that appears in a propeller model indicates the presence or absence of additional letter(s), which may vary the propeller model. This Directive is applicable regardless of whether these letters are present or absent.

Note 2: Refer Hartzell Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-217 Revision 1, dated 11 July 1997, or Hartzell SB HC-SB-61-217 Revision 2 dated 7 October 1999, Table 2, for aircraft applicability.

Note 3: Hartzell SB’s HC-SB-61-232 and SB HC-SB-61-233 detail modification of propellers to the “MV” series. Changing the propeller to the “MV” series excludes the propeller from the requirements of this Directive.

Requirement: Perform initial and repetitive inspections and, if necessary, replace with serviceable parts in accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61- 217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999, as follows:

1. Hartzell Propeller Models With Hub Models ( )HC-(1,4,5,8)(2,3)(X,V)( )-( )

Initially perform a fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, a dye penetrant inspection of the blade internal bearing bore, and a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp and of the hub.

b. Perform repetitive fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, and a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp.

c. Perform a repetitive visual and magnetic particle inspection of the hub.

d. Perform repetitive dye penetrant inspections of the blade internal bearing bore.

e. Shot peen the propeller blade shank area in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999.

2. Hartzell Propeller Models With Hub Models ( )HC-(A,D)(2,3)(X,V)( )-( ), and HA-A2V20-1B, Except HC-A3VF-7( )

Initially perform a fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp, and a dye penetrant inspection of the blade internal bearing bore.

c. Perform repetitive dye penetrant inspections of the blade internal bearing bore.

d. Shot peen the propeller blade shank area in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999.

3. Hartzell Propeller Models with Hub Models HC-A3VF-7( )

Initially perform a fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp, and a dye penetrant inspection of the blade internal bearing bore.

b. Perform fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, and a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp.

c. Perform dye penetrant inspections of the blade internal bearing bore.

d. Shot peen the propeller blade shank area in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999.

Note 4: FAA AD 97-18-02R1 Amendment 39-13212 refers.

Compliance: 1. Hartzell Propeller Models With Hub Models ( )HC-(1,4,5,8)(2,3)(X,V)( )-( )

Unless previously accomplished in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB- 61-217, Revision 1 or 2, prior to further flight.

b. At intervals not to exceed 500 hours propeller Time In Service (TIS) or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first, since last inspection.

c. At intervals not to exceed 250 hours propeller TIS or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first, since last inspection.

d. At intervals not to exceed 60 calendar months since last inspection.

e. Unless previously accomplished in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB- 61-217, Revision 1 dated 11 July 1997, and only if the propeller blade shank area has been repaired or has excessive wear or damage in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999.

2. Hartzell Propeller Models With Hub Models ( )HC-(A,D)(2,3)(X,V)( )-( ), and HA-A2V20-1B, Except HC-A3VF-7( ).

Unless previously accomplished in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB- 61-217, Revision 1 or 2, prior to further flight

b. At intervals not to exceed 500 hours propeller TIS or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first, since last inspection.

c. At intervals not to exceed 60 calendar months since last inspection.

d. Unless previously accomplished in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB- 61-217, Revision 1 dated 11 July 1997, and only if the propeller blade shank area has been repaired or has excessive wear or damage in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7 1999.

3. Hartzell Propeller Models with Hub Models HC-A3VF-7( ).

Unless previously accomplished in accordance with Hartzell SB No. HC-SB- 61-217, Revision 1 or 2, prior to further flight

b. At intervals not to exceed 3,000 hours propeller TIS or 60 calendar months, whichever occurs first, since last inspection.

c. At intervals not to exceed 60 calendar months since last inspection.

This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.

Background: The manufacturer has reported several blade separations resulting from cracks in the hubs, blades or blade clamps of this propeller series. Due to difficulty of detecting cracks the manufacturer has reduced the TBO of certain propeller models fitted to piston engine aircraft and introduced additional inspection procedures.

Amendment 1 revised the compliance draw down requirements to include reference to the 10-year calendar overhaul period for Hartzell propellers as specified in AD/PROP/1 Amdt 1.

Amendment 2 provides a terminating action. Modification of the propeller to the “MV” series will remove the propeller from the applicability of this Directive.

Amendment 1 of this Directive became effective 1 January 1998.

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 January 1998.

Jim Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2003

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 2 to address safety concerns regarding blade separations in Hartzell X and V Shank Propellers with aluminium blades. This directive, effective from 25 December 2003, revokes the previous AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 1 and sets out specific inspection and maintenance requirements to prevent unsafe conditions. The directive mandates that initial and repetitive inspections must be performed according to Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated 7 October 1999. Compliance intervals vary depending on the propeller model, with inspections required at intervals not exceeding 500 hours or 60 months, whichever occurs first, since the last inspection. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of affected aircraft by mitigating the risk of blade separations through stringent inspection protocols.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 2, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to all Hartzell X and V Shank Propellers with aluminium blades, including specific HC-() series and HA-A2V20-1B propellers. The directive is applicable regardless of any additional letters that may be present in the propeller model. The AD requires that initial and repetitive inspections be performed in accordance with Hartzell Propeller Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2, dated October 7, 1999, and any necessary replacements with serviceable parts. The inspections and required actions vary slightly depending on the specific propeller model. The AD specifies the intervals at which these inspections and actions must be carried out, ranging from every 250 hours or 60 calendar months, to every 3,000 hours or 60 calendar months, depending on the propeller model. This Airworthiness Directive extends its reach to all relevant propellers used in aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia, and its application is enforced through the CASA. Modification of the propeller to the “MV” series excludes it from the requirements of this Directive.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PHZL/69 Amdt 2, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), specifically targets Hartzell X and V Shank Propellers with aluminium blades, encompassing certain HC-() series and HA-A2V20-1B models. These propellers must undergo specific inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure airworthiness. The AD mandates initial and repetitive inspections, and where necessary, replacement of serviceable parts, as outlined in Hartzell Service Bulletin (SB) HC-SB-61-217, Revision 2 dated October 7, 1999. These inspections include fluorescent dye penetrant and eddy current inspection of the blade, an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, a dye penetrant inspection of the blade internal bearing bore, and a visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp and hub. The AD also requires the shot peening of the propeller blade shank area in accordance with the same service bulletin. The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of aircraft equipped with these propellers. These obligations include conducting the specified inspections at intervals not exceeding 500 hours or 60 months, whichever comes first, and ensuring that any necessary repairs or modifications are performed according to Hartzell’s guidelines. The AD also requires compliance with the 10-year calendar overhaul period for Hartzell propellers as specified in AD/PROP/1 Amdt 1. Modifying the propeller to the “MV” series, as detailed in Hartzell SB’s HC-SB-61-232 and HC-SB-61-233, will exclude the propeller from the requirements of this AD. Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in significant civil and criminal consequences. The AD does not specify exact penalties but non-compliance with CASA regulations can lead to severe repercussions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The specific maximum penalties for non-compliance with CASA directives can vary, but they are generally severe, reflecting the critical nature of airworthiness standards. Operators and maintainers must ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid these penalties and maintain the safety of their aircraft operations.

Area of Law: Administrative Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Regulatory Standards; Enforcement Powers

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