The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) and eddy current inspections (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks, and if any crack indications are found, removing the blade from service. That AD also mandates a life limit for the blades. This AD requires the same inspections, adds a visual inspection, and mandates a new propeller blade life limit. This AD also requires removing propeller blades with more than 10,000 operating hours time-since-new (TSN), before further flight. This AD also requires removal from service of all the propeller blades and the propeller hub if one or more propeller blades have been found cracked on a propeller assembly. This AD also requires removing from service all C-5963 split retainers. This AD results from eight reports of propeller blades found cracked since May of 2006. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane.

Download Full PDF