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/SWSA226/63 T10282 Blades (Hard Alloy) 9/91
Applicability: All HC-B3TN-5 ( ) ( )/T10282 (H) (B) propeller models installed on Swearingen SA226T, SA226T(B), SA22AT, SA226TC Metro aircraft with Garrett Engine model TPE-331-3U-303G, TPE-331-3UW-303G, TPE-331-10UA-501G or -511G.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Hartzell SB 146A.
Carry out a dye penetrant or other Departmentally approved non-destructive inspection to the outer 60 cm area of the subject blades both back and face. Inspect for signs of cracking, propagating from the trailing edge forward.
Compliance: The compliance date of the previous issue of this Directive (AD/PHZL/49 Amdt 3) was 30 June 1986. This Directive is effective from 5 September 1991, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours Time in Service.
Background: This Directive has been amended to list propeller, engine and aircraft combinations affected which have now been identified in the propeller manufacturer’s SB. The inspection has been changed to conform with the requirement of the SB. Soft alloy has been dropped from the heading since the manufacturer has cleared these blades of fault. This AD is raised to incorporate the propeller insp’n in the aircraft series.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, form a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One particular aspect of these regulations, found in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focuses on maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. The Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those equipped with Garrett Engine models TPE-331-3U-303G, TPE-331-3UW-303G, TPE-331-10UA-501G or -511G, are subject to stringent inspection requirements aimed at preventing structural failures that could compromise flight safety. This legislative instrument addresses the need for regular, systematic inspections of the aircraft's propeller blades, ensuring that any potential defects are identified and rectified promptly.
The policy objective of these regulations is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation by mandating specific maintenance actions and inspections for particular aircraft components. This approach is intended to proactively mitigate risks associated with mechanical failures, thereby protecting both the aircraft's occupants and the general public. The directive in question, AD/SWSA226/63, specifically targets the inspection of T10282 blades on the mentioned aircraft models, requiring non-destructive inspections to detect any signs of cracking. By adhering to these directives, operators are expected to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness, thereby contributing to the broader goal of ensuring safe and reliable civil aviation operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The legislation applies to all HC-B3TN-5 (T10282 (H) (B) propeller models installed on specific Swearingen SA226T, SA226T(B), SA22AT, and SA226TC Metro aircraft equipped with designated Garrett Engine models. The requirement is for an inspection in accordance with Hartzell SB 146A, specifically conducting a dye penetrant or other approved non-destructive inspection on the outer 60 cm area of the blades to detect any cracking propagating from the trailing edge forward. This airworthiness directive is effective from 5 September 1991 and must be followed at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of Time in Service. The directive was updated to reflect the latest inspection requirements specified by the propeller manufacturer, ensuring that all relevant propeller, engine, and aircraft combinations are properly identified and inspected.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes, include a directive concerning the inspection of T10282 blades (AD/SWSA226/63 T10282 Blades (Hard Alloy) 9/91). This directive applies to all HC-B3TN-5 (T10282) propeller models installed on Swearingen SA226T, SA226T(B), SA22AT, SA226TC Metro aircraft equipped with Garrett Engine models TPE-331-3U-303G, TPE-331-3UW-303G, TPE-331-10UA-501G, or -511G (Section 1). The primary requirement is to perform a dye penetrant or other Departmentally approved non-destructive inspection on the outer 60 cm area of the blades, examining both the back and face for signs of cracking that may propagate from the trailing edge forward (Section 2).
This directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that inspections are carried out in accordance with Hartzell SB 146A, and that the inspection is performed by personnel who are qualified and authorised under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations (Section 3). Operators must also keep records of these inspections, including the date of the inspection, the results, and any actions taken as a result of the findings (Section 4). Owners of the aircraft are responsible for ensuring compliance with the AD and must make the necessary arrangements for the inspections to be carried out.
Failure to comply with this directive can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance is considered an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may result in enforcement actions by CASA. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused a safety hazard (Section 5). The maximum penalty for an individual found guilty of contravening the AD can be substantial, reflecting the serious nature of the requirement to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The exact penalty can vary depending on the circumstances of the offence but can include fines of up to $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations, as well as potential imprisonment (Section 6).