AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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/75 Propeller Hub Replacement 3/2003

Applicability: Hartzell 2 Bladed “Y” shank propellers fitted with aluminium hub part numbers D- 6522-1, D-6522-2, D-6529-1, and D-6559-3 with a hub serial number that is listed in Table 1 of this Directive.

Requirement: Remove from service applicable Hartzell aluminium hubs in accordance with Hartzell ASB HC-ASB-61-259.

Note 1: FAA AD 2003-01-03 Amdt 39-13014 refers.

Note 2: Hubs listed in Table 1 of this Directive are not to be installed.

Compliance: 1. Within 50 hours propeller hub time since new or 12 months from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first, for propeller hubs installed on:

1. Piper PA-32 series aircraft with Textron Lycoming 540 series engines that are rated at 300HP or higher; or

b.        Pilatus Britten Norman or Britten Norman BN-2 series aircraft (also known as Islander or Trislander) with Textron Lycoming 540 series engines; or

c.         Any aircraft certified in the acrobatic category; or

d.        Any aircraft routinely exposed to acrobatic manoeuvres; or

e.         Any aircraft that has been used for agricultural operations whilst the applicable propeller was installed.

2. For propeller hubs installed on aircraft apart from those listed in Paragraph 1, within 100 hours propeller hub time since new or twelve months from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.

Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hartzell

AD/PHZL/75 (Continued)

Table 1. Applicable Propellers and Hubs

Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hartzell

AD/PHZL/75 (Continued)

Propellers - Variable Pitch - Hartzell

AD/PHZL/75 (Continued)

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.

Background: The manufacturer has advised of a quality problem with forgings received from their supplier. The quality problems could lead to cracks forming and ultimately the failure of the propeller.

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2003

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.