COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - Dowty Rotol
AD/PR/25
Amdt 9
Hub Wall Cracking 5/95
Applicability: ALL R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20 and R375/4-123-F/21 propellers fitted to SAAB 340A or 340B aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with Dowty Aerospace Propellers Mandatory Service Bulletin SF340-61-A42 Revision 6.
2. Action in accordance with Dowty Aerospace Propellers SB SF340-61-61 Revision 4.
Compliance: 1. As specified in the Requirement Document until Requirement 2 has been complied with.
2. Unless previously carried out, at the next overhaul of the propeller. Incorporation of SB SF340-61-61 Rev 4 provides terminating action for this directive.
Background: Previous amendments have been raised to provide terminating action, to correct several P/N errors and to vary the repetitive inspection requirements.
This amendment mandates compliance with Revision 6, latest revision, to Dowty Mandatory SB SF340-61-A42.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate civil aviation within the country, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. One of the legislative instruments under these regulations is F2006B06324, which addresses specific safety concerns related to the operation of variable pitch propellers on Saab 340A and 340B aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Amendment 9 to address the problem of hub wall cracking in certain Dowty Rotol propellers. This legislation aims to enhance safety by mandating compliance with the latest revisions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers' service bulletins, specifically SF340-61-A42 Revision 6 and SF340-61-61 Revision 4, to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of affected aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain high safety standards by requiring corrective actions and inspections as outlined in the specified service bulletins.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to all R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, and R375/4-123-F/21 propellers fitted to SAAB 340A or 340B aircraft. This legislation mandates actions to ensure the airworthiness of the specified propellers, aiming to prevent hub wall cracking, a critical safety concern. The requirement is for the operators to follow the latest revisions of Dowty Aerospace Propellers Mandatory Service Bulletin SF340-61-A42 Revision 6 and Service Bulletin SF340-61-61 Revision 4, which outline the necessary inspections and repairs. Compliance must be achieved either as specified in the requirement document or at the next propeller overhaul, with the incorporation of Service Bulletin SF340-61-61 Rev 4 providing a terminating action for this directive. This amendment is part of an ongoing effort to correct errors and adjust inspection requirements, ensuring the highest safety standards for these aircraft propellers. The regulations extend throughout the Commonwealth, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring uniform application across all relevant jurisdictions.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, and the Airworthiness Directives concerning propellers for SAAB 340A or 340B aircraft, outline critical safety measures. Section 107.01 of this regulation mandates that all R354/4-123-F/13, R354/4-123-F/20, and R375/4-123-F/21 propellers fitted to these aircraft must comply with the latest revisions of the Dowty Aerospace Propellers Mandatory Service Bulletin SF340-61-A42 Revision 6 and Service Bulletin SF340-61-61 Revision 4. Compliance is necessary to address identified issues such as hub wall cracking.
These regulations impose specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that all actions specified in the Service Bulletin SF340-61-A42 Revision 6 are performed as required until the requirements of the Service Bulletin SF340-61-61 Revision 4 have been met. This means that any necessary inspections, repairs, or modifications must be completed in accordance with the detailed procedures outlined in these service bulletins. Additionally, if the propeller has not undergone an overhaul, the compliance with these service bulletins must be achieved during the next scheduled overhaul.
Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives is a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and such breaches can lead to enforcement actions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose penalties, including fines, and may take actions to suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates of non-compliant aircraft. The exact penalties can vary but are designed to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew. In severe cases, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can also result in criminal charges against the operators or responsible personnel.