Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede 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 proposed AD would require the same inspections, add a visual inspection, and would further reduce the propeller blade life limit. This proposed AD would also require removing blades with more than 10,000 operating hours time-since-new (TSN), before further flight. This proposed AD would also require 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 proposed AD would also requireremoving from service all C-5963 split retainers. This proposed AD results from 8 reports of propeller blades found cracked since May of 2006. We are proposing 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.