Propeller Inspection and Maintenance
depressed area of the propeller blade where pitting, scratches, nicks, gouges, or erosion is
The propellers are one of the most highly stressed components of an aircraft. As a consequence,
propellers must be regularly inspected, maintained, and repaired, as necessary.
The propeller and/or aircraft manufacturer commonly specify the exact time intervals and servicing
requirements for particular propeller inspections and maintenance operations.
Propeller Inspection
Visual inspection of propeller – blades, hubs, controls, accessories for security, safety, leaks, damage,
and general condition.
Note:
Visual inspection of the blades does not mean a slipshod or casual observation. The inspection
should be meticulous enough to detect any overt flaw or defect that may exist.
Inspections performed usually include a detailed visual check of :
1. Blades, spinner, and other external surfaces for excessive oil or grease deposits.
2. Blades, spinner, and hub for nicks, scratches, or other flaws. Use a magnifying glass, if necessary.
3. Spinner or dome shell attaching screws for tightness.
4. The lubricating requirements and oil levels, when applicable.
Visual Inspection
• is the most conventional inspection used in aviation
• visual inspection is the first line of assessment regarding airworthiness.
• It may be aided with the use of magnifying glasses, borescopic equipment, and other devices.
TACTILE INSPECTION
• Another common inspection approach used on propellers is the sense of touch.
• Aviators frequently touch areas identified through the visual inspection when the appearance is
questionable.
• Often fingernails will be used to determine the depth or roughness of a suspected area.
• If passing a fingernail across a damaged area results in the nail “catching” a raised fragment or
suspected, the damage may require further investigation and corrective measures.
Wood Propeller Inspection
1. Inspect for defects, such as cracks, dents, warpage, glue failure, delamination, defects in the finish,
and charring of the wood between the propeller and the flange due to loose propeller mounting
bolts.
2. Check for defects in the finish that may allow moisture to be absorbed by the wood.
3. Examine the wood close to the metal sleeve of wood blades for cracks extending outward on the
blade. These cracks sometimes occur at the threaded ends of the lag screws and may be an
indication of internal cracking of the wood.
4. Check the tightness of the lag screws, which attach the metal sleeve to the wood blade, in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Inspect for such defects as looseness or slipping, separation of soldered joints, loose screws, loose
rivets, breaks, cracks, eroded sections, and corrosion.
6. Inspect for separation between the metal leading edge and the cap, which would indicate the cap
is moving outward in the direction of centrifugal force.
7. Inspect the tip for cracks by grasping it with the hand and slightly twisting about the longitudinal
blade centerline and by slightly bending the tip backward and forward.
Note for Wood Propeller Inspection
1. Cracks usually start at the leading edge of the blade.
2. Ensure that the moisture holes at the tips are open.
3. A fine line appearing in the fabric or plastic may indicate a crack in the wood.
4. Check the trailing edge of the propeller blades for bonding, separation, or damage.
Metal Propeller Inspection
• Metal propellers and blades are generally susceptible to fatigue failure resulting from the
concentration of stresses at the bottoms of sharp nicks, cuts, gouges, and scratches.
• It is necessary, therefore, to frequently and carefully inspect them for such defects.
• Visual, fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection may be employed to accomplish the As with etching, do not apply the chromic acid solution to non- aluminum parts.
inspection of steel blades.
1. After the application of the chromic acid solution, the parts are thoroughly washed in running
Dye Penetrant, etching and chroming acid water for several minutes and allowed to dry. Cracks will appear as dark lines.

Dye penetrants 2. Following the chromic acid inspection, the parts are immersed in hot water, near the boiling point,
for 30 minutes. This final rinse removes traces of the chromic acid solution.
• commonly used throughout the aviation industry come in two basic formulations, non-fluorescent
and fluorescent. Eddy Current

• The non-fluorescent penetrant works with ordinary lighting while the fluorescent penetrant • The eddy current process requires the use of special equipment that induces and appraises an
requires a black light to perform a thorough investigation. electrical field in the part being examined.

• Dye penetrant checks are only effective on flaws that extend to the surface. Subsurface defects will • With the proper probes and techniques, eddy current tests may detect both surface and
not show up using dye penetrant inspections. subsurface defects.

Etching • Subsurface defects need to be relatively near the surface to be detected. This inspection technique
may be used on both ferrous and non ferrous metals
• Etching the propeller blade is a technique that was popular decades ago. It is limited to aluminum
parts. Do not etch non-aluminum parts. Ferrous metal- contains iron, such as steel and cast iron. It is usually magnetic and prone to rust.

Etching Procedures Non-Ferrous metal- Don’t have iron, like aluminum, copper, and brass. It is typically corrosion-
resistant.
1. The area to be inspected must be prepared by sanding with smooth abrasive paper. Before
handling the chemicals, use necessary protective gear. Ultra sound

2. The etching solution, a 20% mixture of sodium hydroxide (lye) is applied to the area using a brush • Ultrasonic inspections are versatile. They may be used on ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as
or a swab. Warming the solution before applying it will accelerate the chemical reaction. wood and composite materials.

3. After the aluminum darkens, wipe away the solution using water. Visually inspect the area. Cracks • The ultra sound technique projects a sound wave into the material.The machine analyzes the
will appear as black lines as the etching solution that entered the defect will continue to etch the reaction to the sound wave to determine the condition of the material. Defects at and below the
aluminum. surface may be detected using this technique.

4. To neutralize the etching solution, apply a 20% mixture of nitric acid and wash parts with clean Magnetic particles
water. Apply the necessary protective finish to the area etched.
• This type of inspection is only used on ferromagnetic parts and is capable of detecting surface and
Note: subsurface defects.

Like the dye penetrant inspection, etching is for detecting defects that reach the surface • The application of fine magnetic particles will reveal defects existing in the part.

Chromic acid process • Both fluorescent and non fluorescent magnetic particles are available. As with other inspections
involving fluorescent particle, the process requires a special light during the inspection.
• The chromic acid process is similar to etching save for the chemistry.