COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley
AD/PMC/39 Propeller Blade Replacement 7/87
Applicability: Propeller model B2A34C205/90DHA-4 with Blade S/Nos DA001 to DA040.
Note: Propeller S/No’s affected are contained in Table 1 of Requirement Document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with McCauley Service Bulletin No 164.
Compliance: Before 1250 hours total time in service or 31 November 1988 whichever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer believes a number of blades were manufactured in 1983 without shot peening. It is necessary that these blades be retired from service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One component of this extensive regulatory framework is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at addressing specific safety concerns for aircraft and their components. AD/PMC/39, concerning propeller blade replacement for the McCauley model B2A34C205/90 DHA-4 with specific blade serial numbers, was introduced to rectify an identified safety issue. The problem addressed by this directive was the potential manufacturing defect in certain blades that were not subjected to shot peening, a process critical for blade durability and safety. The policy objective is to mandate compliance with the manufacturer's service bulletin to ensure that affected blades are replaced before a certain time threshold or flight hour limit, thus maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft involved.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework of the Commonwealth of Australia, govern various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft components. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) that establish mandatory requirements for the continued airworthiness of aircraft and their components. One such directive, AD/PMC/39, pertains to the replacement of propeller blades for the McCauley model B2A34C205/90DHA-4, with blade serial numbers ranging from DA001 to DA040. This directive applies to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who must ensure compliance with the requirements set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive mandates that the action outlined in McCauley Service Bulletin No 164 be taken before the propeller reaches 1250 hours of total time in service or before 31st November 1988, whichever occurs first, to address the potential issue of blades manufactured in 1983 without shot peening, which could compromise their structural integrity. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying uniformly across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not include any stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified serial numbers and service hours. Compliance with this AD is essential to maintain the safety standards set by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39, contain specific directives related to the airworthiness of aircraft components. Section 107 of these regulations, more precisely AD/PMC/39, focuses on the mandatory replacement of propeller blades for certain McCauley propeller models. Specifically, the directive applies to propeller model B2A34C205/90DHA-4 with blade serial numbers DA001 to DA040. This requirement is mandated in accordance with McCauley Service Bulletin No 164. The action must be taken before the propeller accumulates 1250 hours of total service time or by 31st November 1988, whichever comes first. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to manufacturer recommendations to ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Owners and operators of aircraft equipped with the specified propellers must ensure that the blades are inspected and replaced if they fall within the specified serial number range. This involves detailed record-keeping and compliance with the timeline set out in the directive. Moreover, any maintenance or repair work must be carried out by certified personnel or entities authorised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This ensures that the replacements are done to the highest standards and specifications provided by McCauley.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is considered an offence. The penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance but can be severe, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to these safety standards. CASA retains the right to take enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft, to ensure that the safety regulations are upheld.