COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley
AD/PMC/25 Propeller Hub and Blade - Modification or Replacement (Shot Peening of Hub Retention
Threads and Blade Shank Threads)
1/73
Applicability: Hubs on propeller models E2A34C64 and C64A, and E2A34C73, C73A, C73J and C73K with S/Nos. 64000 thru 699999 not incorporating shot peened blade retention threads. Ref. AD.PMC/20 (SB No. 88). All 90AT-8 blades used with above propeller models, and not incorporating shot peened shank threads. Ref. AD/PMC/24 (SB No. 81).
Document: McCauley SB No. 100.
Compliance: For propellers that have completed 775 or more hours total time in service - within 25 hours time in service after 31 January 1973. For propellers that have completed less than 700 hours total time in service - before achieving 800 hours total time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations in Australia. Among these regulations, the Airworthiness Directives address various safety concerns related to aircraft components, including propellers. One such directive, AD/PMC/25, focuses on modifying or replacing the hub and blade of variable pitch McCauley propellers, particularly those not incorporating shot peened blade retention threads. The objective of this directive is to enhance the structural integrity of the propeller hubs and blades by applying a shot peening process to the hub retention threads and blade shank threads. This measure aims to prevent fatigue cracking and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected propellers. The directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the regulatory body responsible for enforcing these safety standards and ensuring compliance within the Australian civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 107, governs the airworthiness directives related to propellers, including those manufactured by McCauley. The regulation applies to certain propeller models, namely the E2A34C64 and C64A, and E2A34C73, C73A, C73J, and C73K with specific serial numbers that do not already incorporate shot peened blade retention threads. This also includes all 90AT-8 blades used with the aforementioned propeller models, excluding those with shot peened shank threads. The regulation mandates modifications or replacements to ensure compliance with the specified airworthiness directives. The requirement for compliance is contingent on the total time in service of the propeller, with those that have completed 775 or more hours needing to comply within 25 hours of 31 January 1973, while those with less than 700 hours must comply before reaching 800 hours of total time in service. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting various industries involved in civil aviation, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified propellers.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, mandate certain safety directives concerning the modification or replacement of propellers in civil aviation. Section (AD/PMC/25) addresses the hub and blade of variable pitch propellers made by McCauley, focusing on propeller models E2A34C64, C64A, E2A34C73, C73A, C73J, and C73K. The directive applies to these models if they do not already incorporate shot peened blade retention threads and have serial numbers between 64000 and 699999. Additionally, it covers all 90AT-8 blades used with these propeller models that do not have shot peened shank threads. The compliance requirement is set out in McCauley Service Bulletin No. 100, which mandates specific actions depending on the operational hours of the propellers.
Under the Act, operators of these propellers must ensure compliance with the specified directives. For propellers that have accumulated 775 or more hours of total time in service, the required modifications or replacements must be completed within 25 hours of time in service after 31 January 1973. For propellers with less than 700 hours of total time in service, the modifications or replacements must be completed before the propellers reach 800 hours of total time in service. This requirement ensures that the structural integrity and safety of the propellers are maintained throughout their operational life.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to serious legal and safety consequences. The Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance with safety directives can generally result in severe civil or criminal penalties. These could include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance, but the overarching aim is to ensure strict adherence to the safety standards set forth in the regulations.