COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley
AD/PMC/18
Amdt 1
Propeller Hub - Modification or Replacement 2/71
Applicability: Models 2D34C8 and 2D34C8-A, -J and -K; 2D34C53 and 2D34C53-A, B2D34C53-J and -K; 2D34CT69 and B2D34CT69-J and -K.
Requirement: For models 2D34C8, 2D34C8-A, -J and -K modify the hub by shot peening the blade retention threads in accordance with SB No. 88 or fit a replacement hub model 2D34C8-M or subsequent.
For models 2D34C53, 2D34C53-A, B3D34C53-J and B2D34C53-K, modify the hub by shot peening the blade retention threads in accordance with SB No. 88 or fit a replacement hub model 2D34C53-M or subsequent, or B2D34C53-M or subsequent.
For models 2D34CT69, B2D34CT69-J and -K, modify the hub by shot peening the blade retention threads in accordance with SB No. 88 or fit a replacement hub model 2D34CT69-M or subsequent, or B2D34CT69-M or subsequent.
Compliance: For propellers that have completed 600 or more hours total time in service - within 100 hours time in service. For propellers that have completed less than 600 hours total time in service - before achieving 700 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the continued safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument, known as F2006B06279, was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the hub of certain McCauley variable pitch propellers. The legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective is to mandate specific modifications or replacements of the propeller hub for certain models to prevent potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety.
The Airworthiness Directives (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 require specific actions for different models of propellers to ensure they meet airworthiness standards. For instance, for certain McCauley propeller models, the hub must be modified by shot peening the blade retention threads or a replacement hub must be fitted. These modifications must be carried out within specific time frames based on the total time in service of the propellers, aiming to preemptively address potential safety risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to the maintenance and modification of propeller hubs for certain aircraft models used in Australia. This legislative instrument mandates that the propeller hubs of specific McCauley Variable Pitch propeller models, namely the 2D34C8 and 2D34C8-A, -J, and -K; 2D34C53 and 2D34C53-A, 2D34C53-J, and -K; and 2D34CT69 and 2D34CT69-J and -K, must either be modified by shot peening the blade retention threads in accordance with Service Bulletin No. 88 or replaced with a specified model. The requirement for compliance with these modifications is based on the total time in service of the propellers; those with 600 or more hours must comply within 100 additional hours, while those with less than 600 hours must comply before reaching 700 hours in service. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulations do not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, implying that all applicable aircraft and propellers must adhere to the outlined requirements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 107, under the schedule of Airworthiness Directives for propellers, addresses the modification or replacement of propeller hubs for specific models (2D34C8, 2D34C53, and 2D34CT69 and their variants) manufactured by McCauley (subsection 2/71). The directive requires that for models 2D34C8, 2D34C8-A, -J and -K, the hub must either be modified by shot peening the blade retention threads in accordance with Service Bulletin (SB) No. 88 or replaced with a hub model 2D34C8-M or subsequent versions. Similarly, for models 2D34C53, 2D34C53-A, B2D34C53-J and -K, the same modifications or replacements (model 2D34C53-M or subsequent, or B2D34C53-M or subsequent) apply. The directive also applies to models 2D34CT69, B2D34CT69-J and -K, mandating the same modifications or replacements (model 2D34CT69-M or subsequent, or B2D34CT69-M or subsequent).
Compliance with these provisions necessitates that the modifications or replacements occur within specific timeframes depending on the total time in service of the propeller. For propellers that have completed 600 or more hours of total time in service, the compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service. For propellers that have completed less than 600 hours of total time in service, the compliance must occur before the propeller achieves 700 hours of total time in service. These timelines ensure that the necessary modifications are made to maintain the airworthiness of the propellers.
Failure to comply with these Airworthiness Directives could result in significant legal and safety implications. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential consequences can include enforcement notices, fines, or even criminal charges in severe cases of negligence or deliberate non-compliance. The maximum penalties for offences under these regulations can be substantial, reflecting the importance of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure public safety in aviation.