EASA AD 2018-0057
Propellers — Pitch Lock System — Modification / Check Aircraft Flight Manual — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0057 is an airworthiness directive affecting Aircraft Industries a.s. L 410 UVP-E20 and L 410 UVP-E20 CARGO aeroplanes equipped with GE Aviation H80-200 engines and Avia Propeller AV 725 propellers with serial numbers from 2904 through 3114. The directive mandates modifications to the propeller pitch lock system and amendments to the Aircraft Flight Manual to address safety concerns related to un-commanded negative thrust activation. It also provides updated procedures for flight crews to check the pitch lock system before each flight.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive requires modification of the electrical testing circuit of the propeller pitch lock system and incorporation of new procedures into the Aircraft Flight Manual. It replaces the previous recommendation from EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2017-21 by mandating specific mandatory bulletin and documentation bulletin instructions. The directive introduces flight crew procedures for beta range signalization in flight and pre-flight pitch lock system checks.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety issue that could lead to loss of control of the aircraft due to inadvertent activation of negative thrust mode. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain airworthiness and avoid operational restrictions. Flight crews must be trained on the new procedures to detect and respond to pitch lock system anomalies, enhancing flight safety.
What To Do
Operators must modify the propeller pitch lock system electrical testing circuit and amend the Aircraft Flight Manual within 25 flight hours, 20 flight cycles, or 30 days after 28 March 2018, whichever occurs first. Flight crews must perform pre-flight pitch lock system checks as per the updated manual and report any discrepancies to Aircraft Industries for approved repair instructions before further flight. Compliance with the updated mandatory and documentation bulletins is required.
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