COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley
AD/PMC/37 Blade Counterweight Bolt Replacement 5/83
Applicability: All 3AF32C504, 3AF32C505, 3AF32C506, 3AF32C507, 3AF32C508 and
3AF32C509 models with serial numbers 803546 through 816154.
Document: McCauley Service Bulletin 147.
Compliance: By the next maintenance release inspection, after 31st May 1983.
Background: The manufacturer reports failures of blade counterweight bolts. This Directive introduces a new maintenance practise to nullify this problem.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 107, was enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulations address various safety concerns by providing detailed requirements and directives, such as the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. AD/PMC/37, for example, focuses on the replacement of blade counterweight bolts in certain McCauley propeller models to prevent failures reported by the manufacturer. This directive aims to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft by mandating compliance by the next maintenance release inspection following the directive's issuance date, which in this case was 31 May 1983. The objective of this specific directive is to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures due to the blade counterweight bolt issues, thereby ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the replacement of blade counterweight bolts on certain variable pitch propellers manufactured by McCauley. This directive applies to all 3AF32C504, 3AF32C505, 3AF32C506, 3AF32C507, 3AF32C508 and 3AF32C509 models with serial numbers ranging from 803546 through 816154. The directive mandates that compliance be achieved by the next maintenance release inspection after 31st May 1983, as specified in McCauley Service Bulletin 147. This requirement is in direct response to reported failures of blade counterweight bolts, aiming to enhance safety by introducing a new maintenance practice. The directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting all relevant aircraft operators within the country. The scope of this AD does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft models and serial numbers.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contains a directive (AD/PMC/37) concerning blade counterweight bolts for McCauley variable pitch propellers. This directive applies to certain model numbers of propellers with specific serial numbers (section 5/83). The directive references the McCauley Service Bulletin 147 as the source of compliance information. According to the directive, compliance must be achieved by the next maintenance release inspection following 31 May 1983. This requirement arises from reports of failures in blade counterweight bolts, and the directive introduces a new maintenance practice to address this issue.
Under the provisions of this directive, the operators of the specified propellers must ensure that the blade counterweight bolt replacement is performed as outlined in McCauley Service Bulletin 147. This involves inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the blade counterweight bolts to prevent failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive mandates that this maintenance must be completed by the next scheduled maintenance release inspection, ensuring that the safety directive is implemented without unnecessary delay.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can have serious consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements of AD/PMC/37 risk facing legal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to significant civil and potentially criminal consequences. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of the operator's licence, and other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the non-compliance and any resultant safety risks.
The directive also underscores the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft components. By mandating the replacement of potentially faulty blade counterweight bolts, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to prevent accidents and enhance the overall safety of civil aviation. Operators must take these requirements seriously and ensure that their maintenance practices align with the regulations to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of their operations.