AD Watch: McCauley Propellers

The FAA last week issued an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive for McCauley Propeller Systems 1A103/TCM series propellers, which calls for inspections of the propeller hub with a dye-penetrant procedure to check for cracks. The amendment clarifies some details of the inspection procedure and relaxes the replacement requirements. The original AD was intended to prevent propeller separation due to hub fatigue cracking, which can result in loss of control of the airplane. The new AD is effective July 17. The FAA estimates that approximately 3,000 propellers installed on airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.