AD/PMC/28 - Propeller Hub - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which is enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation was introduced to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. One such directive, AD/PMC/28, addresses the replacement of propeller hubs for specific McCauley variable pitch propellers used on certain models of aircraft. The directive targets propellers on models D2AF34C52/80GF-0 and D2AF34C52A/80GF-0 with serial numbers between 63000 and 65999 that have not been modified under AD/PMC/20. The policy objective is to enhance safety by ensuring these propellers meet the required airworthiness standards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with specific timelines based on the total time in service of the propellers, aiming to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the propeller hubs.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines mandatory compliance requirements for certain aircraft components and systems to ensure safety in civil aviation. Within this regulatory framework, AD/PMC/28 addresses the replacement of propeller hubs for specific models of McCauley variable pitch propellers. This directive applies to models D2AF34C52/80GF-0 and D2AF34C52A/ 80GF-0 with serial numbers ranging from 63000 to 65999 that have not been modified according to AD/PMC/20. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for propellers that have accumulated 1500 hours of total time in service as of 28 November 1975, requiring replacement within 100 hours of this date, and for propellers with less than 1500 hours total time in service, the replacement must occur before reaching 1600 hours of total time in service. This regulation is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable nationally across Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the specified safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 107, contain specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate the maintenance and operational standards for aircraft. One such directive, AD/PMC/28, pertains to the replacement of propeller hubs for certain McCauley propeller models. This directive applies to models D2AF34C52/80GF-0 and D2AF34C52A/80GF-0 with serial numbers between 63000 and 659999, provided they have not been modified under a previous directive, AD/PMC/20 (section 39.107.28). The compliance requirements are structured based on the total time in service of the propellers. For propellers that had accumulated 1500 hours of service by 28 November 1975, the directive requires replacement within 100 hours after that date. For propellers with less than 1500 hours at that date, the replacement must occur before they reach 1600 hours of total service. The obligations imposed by AD/PMC/28 are precise and time-bound, ensuring that the specified propeller hubs are replaced to maintain airworthiness. Operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the affected McCauley propellers must adhere to these timelines to ensure compliance. They must monitor the service hours of the propellers and ensure that the replacement is carried out as per the directive. This directive necessitates thorough record-keeping and timely action to avoid any lapses in compliance. Failure to comply with AD/PMC/28 can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary repairs or replacements are made. Civil penalties may be imposed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines. Additionally, there may be criminal penalties for those who knowingly allow an aircraft to operate in a non-airworthy condition, potentially leading to imprisonment. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain safety standards in civil aviation.