AD/A320/180 Fuel Tank Decals (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A320/180 Fuel Tank Decals 9/2005 TX

Applicability:

AIRBUS A319-100 series and A320-200 series, all certified models, serial numbers (MSN) 0928, 0934, 0936, 0938, 0945 to 0947, 0950, 0951, 0964, 0965, 0969, 0971 to 0973, 0976 to 0979, 0981, 0984, 0985, 0988 to 0990, 0992, 0994, 0997, 0998, 1002, 1003, 1005, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1026, 1028 to 1031, 1033, 1035, 1037 to 1039, 1046, 1047, 1049, 1050, 1054, 1057 to 1059, 1062 to 1064, 1068, 1071, 1074, 1076, 1077, 1084, 1085, 1090, 1093, 1095 to 1098, 1101, 1103 to 1105, 1110, 1111, 1113, 1115, 1119, 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1135, 1136, 1138, 1142, 1143, 1147, 1154 to 1157, 1159, 1160, 1162, 1163, 1165, 1166, 1169, 1171, 1173, 1179, 1181, 1184, 1187, 1189, 1191, 1194, 1196, 1200, 1201, 1205, 1208 to 1211, 1213, 1217, 1221, 1222, 1224, 1225, 1231, 1244 to 1249, 1251 to 1253, 1263 to 1265, 1267 to 1269, 1274, 1279, 1280, 1282, 1287, 1289, 1290, 1292, 1295, 1297, 1300, 1308 to 1311, 1314, 1315, 1318, 1319, 1326, 1328, 1329, 1332, 1335, 1336, 1343, 1346 and 1360 inclusive.

Requirement:

1.    Unless previously accomplished, insert in the aircraft Minimum Equipment List (MEL) the Temporary Revision (TR) of the A318/319/320/321 MMEL (Master Minimum Equipment List) No 01-28/01Z issue 01, which states that the aircraft is not authorized to fly with one pump inoperative, and comply with this requirement.

Note 1:  This MMEL TR will be introduced in the next MMEL general revision.

2.    In the event of a pump failure, inspect the failed pump, the pump located in the same half wing and their canister, and carry out any necessary rectification, following the instructions of AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A320-28-1102 Revision 1 or later DGAC approved revisions.

3.    Unless already accomplished, inspect the 4 pumps and canisters, and carry out any necessary rectification following the instructions of SB A320-28-1102 Revision 1 or later DGAC approved revisions.

4.    Repeat the inspection detailed in Requirement 3 of this Directive.

5.    Unless already accomplished, inspect the fuel tanks, and carry out any necessary rectification following the instructions of SB A320-57-1117 Revision 1 or later DGAC approved revisions.

6.    Repeat the inspection detailed in Requirement 5 of this Directive.

Note 2:  DGAC AD F-2005-121 EASA Approval No. 2005-6068 dated 12 July 2005 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 10 flight cycles after the effective date of this Directive.

2.    Before further flight after the effective date of this Directive.

3.    Within 600 flight hours following the effective date of this Directive.

4.    At intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.

5.    Within 72 months from the effective date of this Directive.

6.    At intervals not to exceed 72 months.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 July 2005.

Background:

On one A320 aircraft, labels were found floating in the fuel tank of the wing.  These flexible plastic labels are stuck to the wing structure to identify rib numbers and manhole fastener references.  The varnish coating and adhesive deteriorate in contact with fuel and the labels become detached.  Floating labels in the fuel tank could be ingested by the fuel pumps which could lead to failure of the pump.  This Directive renders mandatory an operational limitation, a repetitive inspection of fuel pumps and a repetitive inspection of fuel tanks.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

19 July 2005