Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )(2,3)(X,V)( )-( ) Series and HA-A2V20-1B Series Propellers With Aluminum Blades

This amendment supersedes four existing airworthiness directives (ADs), applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. ( )HC-( )(2,3)(X,V)( )-( ) series propellers with aluminum blades, that currently require inspections for cracks in blade shanks and clamps. This amendment requires initial and repetitive dye penetrant and eddy current inspections of the blade and an optical comparator inspection of the blade retention area, and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. In addition, this AD requires initial and repetitive visual and magnetic particle inspection of the blade clamp, dye penetrant inspection of the blade internal bearing bore, and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. Also, for all HC- (1,4,5,8)(2,3)(X,V)( )-( ) steel hub propellers, this AD requires an additional initial and repetitive visual and magnetic particle inspection of the hub and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracked blades, blade clamps, and hubs and reports of blade separations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent blade separation due to cracked blades, hubs, or blade clamps, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.