FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 19002: Improper Overhaul and Repair of McCauley Constant Speed Propellers by Sensenich Propeller Services, Inc., North Windham, Connecticut.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians of improper maintenance performed by Sensenich Propeller Services Inc., North Windham, CT. This maintenance provider previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Agency Certificate No.
Why It Matters
An FAA investigation found the maintenance provider was performing overhaul-level maintenance and approving McCauley Constant Speed Propellers for return to service without fully following the recommended methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current McCauley Constant Speed Propellers maintenance manual (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness). The maintenance provider claimed to be completing overhauls, but failed to test or replace various replacement parts, as required per the McCauley Constant Speed Propellers overhaul manuals.
Recommended Action
Since the improper maintenance referenced above occurred during overhaul- level maintenance, owners and operators that may have had propellers overhauled by Sensenich Propeller Service Inc. should have affected propellers inspected by an appropriately rated repair station to determine if the affected propellers meet the manufacturer’s recommended continued airworthiness requirements. This recommended action may be accomplished by completing the following steps: SAFOSafety Alert for Operators U.S.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO.
Subject: Improper Overhaul and Repair of McCauley Constant Speed Propellers by Sensenich Propeller Services, Inc., North Windham, Connecticut.
Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians of improper maintenance performed by Sensenich Propeller Services Inc., North Windham, CT. This maintenance provider previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Agency Certificate No. Q0PR011X for overhaul of propeller assemblies. This affects all McCauley Constant Speed Propellers overhauled by Sensenich Propeller Services, Inc., of North Windham, CT.
Background: An FAA investigation found the maintenance provider was performing overhaul-level maintenance and approving McCauley Constant Speed Propellers for return to service without fully following the recommended methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current McCauley Constant Speed Propellers maintenance manual (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness). The maintenance provider claimed to be completing overhauls, but failed to test or replace various replacement parts, as required per the McCauley Constant Speed Propellers overhaul manuals. In particular, the propeller return springs were not tested or replaced on all 47 McCauley Constant Speed Propellers involved.
Additionally, the following items were not replaced on some of the above-mentioned propellers: bladeactuating links, actuating link bearing, ball bearings, ball bearing separators, cylinder assembly cover screws, blade retaining rings, propeller to engine mount studs, and one fill plug. The maintenance facility in North Windham, CT is the sole Sensenich Propeller Service Inc. repair station in the United States that is affected.
Recommended Action: Since the improper maintenance referenced above occurred during overhaul-level maintenance, owners and operators that may have had propellers overhauled by Sensenich Propeller Service Inc. should have affected propellers inspected by an appropriately rated repair station to determine if the affected propellers meet the manufacturer’s recommended continued airworthiness requirements. This recommended action may be accomplished by completing the following steps:
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 19002
DATE: 5/15/19
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
1. Inspect Records and Inventory: Inspect aircraft records, propeller records, FAA Form 8130-3 airworthiness approval tags, and aircraft parts inventories for any McCauley Constant Speed Propellers approved for return to service by Sensenich Propeller Service, Inc.
Quarantine and Inspect McCauley Constant Speed Propellers Not Installed: Maintenance providers should ensure any affected propellers in their inventory referenced by this SAFO meet the manufacturers recommended continued airworthiness requirements for overhaul. This may necessitate a thorough maintenance records check and/or making an airworthiness determination to ensure the propeller meets the manufacturer’s recommended overhaul requirements.
Inspect Propellers Currently In Use: For affected McCauley Constant Speed Propellers currently installed, owners/operators should have the suspect propellers inspected. Owners/operators should also closely monitor the suspect propellers’ health using the original equipment manufacturer recommendations or other approved maintenance program methods.
Contact: Direct general questions or comments regarding this SAFO to the Aircraft Maintenance Division at (202) 267-1675. Direct specific questions or comments about the subject matter to the Bradley Flight Standards District Office by telephone at (860) 386-1800 or by email at 7-AEA-BDLFSDO@faa.gov.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 19002