COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - McCauley
AD/PMC/40 Blade Counterweight Bolt Replacement 12/87 DM
Applicability: All model 4HFR34C652, 4HFR34C754 and 4HFR34C755 Propellers.
Note: Propeller S/No’s affected are contained in Table 1 of Requirement document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with McCauley Service Bulletin No 166A.
Compliance: At next issue of Maintenance Release or within 50 hours time in service after 14 September 1987 whichever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer advised of corrosion being found on the black oxide counter weight bolts. Corroded bolts can crack, so replacement of these bolts with a new part number item is required.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, include Airworthiness Directives designed to ensure the safety of aviation operations. One such directive, AD/PMC/40, pertains to the replacement of blade counterweight bolts on McCauley Variable Pitch Propellers. This directive was introduced to address the problem of corrosion on black oxide counterweight bolts, which can lead to cracking and compromise the integrity of the propeller. The requirement is for all affected propellers, namely those of models 4HFR34C652, 4HFR34C754, and 4HFR34C755, to comply with McCauley Service Bulletin No 166A. Compliance must be achieved either at the next maintenance release or within 50 hours of time in service following 14 September 1987, whichever comes first. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aiming to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft utilising these propellers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which governs the safety and maintenance requirements for aircraft components within Australia. The directive AD/PMC/40 pertains to the replacement of blade counterweight bolts for certain McCauley propellers, namely the model 4HFR34C652, 4HFR34C754, and 4HFR34C755. This requirement applies to all affected propellers, with specific serial numbers detailed in the associated requirement document, necessitating compliance to prevent the risk of bolt corrosion leading to cracking. The directive mandates that the replacement must be carried out in accordance with McCauley Service Bulletin No 166A, either by the next maintenance release or within 50 hours of the directive's issuance date, whichever comes first. The regulation applies nationally, ensuring that all operators of these specific propellers within Australia adhere to these safety standards. The scope of this directive is confined to the specified propeller models, and no exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated within the directive itself, although broader exemptions might be defined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 107, mandate the replacement of blade counterweight bolts in certain McCauley variable pitch propellers. The directive, AD/PMC/40, pertains to model numbers 4HFR34C652, 4HFR34C754, and 4HFR34C755 (section 12/87 DM). The action required is to follow the instructions detailed in McCauley Service Bulletin No 166A. This action must be taken at the next maintenance release or within 50 hours of the propeller's time in service after 14 September 1987, whichever comes first. The specific propellers affected are listed in Table 1 of the Requirement document. The directive addresses the issue of corrosion found on the black oxide counterweight bolts, which can potentially crack if left unaddressed. Replacing these bolts with a new part number item is necessary to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
The obligations imposed by this legislation are clear and directive. Owners and operators of the affected propellers must ensure that the blade counterweight bolt replacement is completed in accordance with the specified timeline and procedure outlined in McCauley Service Bulletin No 166A. The responsibility lies with the aircraft operator to comply with this directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. This includes obtaining the necessary parts and scheduling the maintenance to meet the compliance deadline. Additionally, maintenance personnel must be adequately trained to carry out the replacement as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until the required maintenance is performed, fines, or other regulatory sanctions. The potential for civil or criminal liability also exists, particularly if non-compliance results in an accident or incident that causes harm or loss of life. Therefore, it is imperative for all parties involved to adhere to the requirements set out in the directive to avoid any legal repercussions.