COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SWSA226/62 Propeller Blade Separation 9/91
Applicability: Hartzell model HC-B3TN-5C ( )/T10282 installed on Swearingen SA226-TC or SA226-AT aircraft, with Garrett TPE 331-1OUA engines, which have been modified by Airesearch Aviation Company STC SA344GL or either Par Air or Superior Aircraft Inc STC SA 4872SW.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Hartzell Service Bulletin No 161A.
Note 1: FAA AD 86-05-12 and 88-24-15 refer.
Note 2: Propellers fitted with T10282N blades are exempt from the requirements of this directive.
Compliance: Prior to issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness or upon incorporation of Airesearch Aviation Company STC SA 344GL-D or Par Air or Superior Aircraft Inc STC SA 4872SW. Re-inspect at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service.
Before installation on an aircraft unless previously accomplished within the preceding 500 hours time in service.
Background: Due to increased torque of which the subject engines are capable, the significance of scratches, scrapes, tool marks and/or corrosion pits in the pilot tube bore area is increased to the degree that fatigue failure causing blade separation is possible. The repetitive inspection now required on all S/No blades is now not required for a specific P/N blade due to its improved design characteristics.
This Directive is raised to incorporate the propeller inspection in the aircraft series.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) were enacted to regulate the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B07204, addresses the safety concerns associated with Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the issue of propeller blade separation. This was introduced to address the problem of potential fatigue failure in propeller blades caused by increased torque in certain engine modifications. The policy objective is to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet stringent safety standards, which includes regular inspections and compliance with specific service bulletins. This is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for enforcing the Regulations to maintain high safety standards within Australia's civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes, including the critical aspect of propeller blade separation. This legislative instrument applies to Hartzell model HC-B3TN-5C (T10282) propellers installed on Swearingen SA226-TC or SA226-AT aircraft equipped with Garrett TPE 331-1OUA engines that have undergone modifications by Airesearch Aviation Company STC SA344GL or either Par Air or Superior Aircraft Inc STC SA 4872SW. The regulation mandates that these aircraft comply with Hartzell Service Bulletin No 161A to mitigate the risk of fatigue failure leading to blade separation. Notably, propellers fitted with T10282N blades are exempt from this directive due to their improved design characteristics, which reduce the likelihood of fatigue failure. Compliance with this directive is required before the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness or upon incorporation of specified modifications, and it mandates a re-inspection at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service or before installation on an aircraft if not previously inspected within the preceding 500 hours. This directive ensures that the operational safety of these aircraft is maintained by addressing potential risks associated with propeller blade fatigue.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, include specific directives for ensuring the airworthiness of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/SWSA226/62, addresses propeller blade separation (section 1). This directive applies to Hartzell model HC-B3TN-5C (T10282) installed on Swearingen SA226-TC or SA226-AT aircraft with Garrett TPE 331-1OUA engines, modified by Airesearch Aviation Company STC SA344GL or Par Air or Superior Aircraft Inc STC SA 4872SW. The requirement is for actions to be taken in accordance with Hartzell Service Bulletin No 161A.
The directive specifies compliance procedures, including inspections prior to the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness or upon incorporation of certain STCs, and re-inspection at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. Additionally, propellers fitted with T10282N blades are exempt from the requirements of this directive. The directive notes the relevance of FAA AD 86-05-12 and 88-24-15 for reference. The background of this directive stems from the increased torque of the engines, which raises the risk of fatigue failure causing blade separation due to scratches, scrapes, tool marks, and corrosion pits in the pilot tube bore area.
The obligations imposed by this directive primarily concern the maintenance and inspection of the propellers on specified aircraft. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspections are conducted as per the directive's requirements. This includes adhering to the intervals specified for re-inspection and ensuring that any modifications or repairs are in compliance with the referenced STCs. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to blade separation and catastrophic failure during flight.
The consequences of non-compliance with the AD/SWSA226/62 directive are serious, with potential civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In cases where non-compliance results in a safety incident or accident, criminal charges could be brought against individuals or corporations responsible for the oversight and maintenance of the aircraft. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the resulting consequences, but they can be substantial, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives.