AD/A320/189 Forward Passenger Doors Escape Slide Raft (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/A320/189 Forward Passenger Doors - Escape Slide Raft 2/2006

Applicability:

Airbus A319, A320 and A321 as required by the DGAC Airworthiness Directive
F-2005-172.

Requirement:

Inspect the slide raft girt bar at the forward left hand and right hand passenger doors, in accordance with the instructions of DGAC Airworthiness Directive F-2005-172.

Note:  Airbus SB A320-25-1394 refers.

Compliance:

Unless already accomplished, within 200 days following the revised effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 February 2006.

Background:

During deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors, cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting were reported.

Investigations have demonstrated that the girt bar disengagements were due to the incorrect position of the stiff part of the girt bar during slide raft installation on the aircraft.  This may cause inboard-directed loads on the girt bar preventing a correct engagement in the floor fittings.  Under such conditions, the telescopic girt bar may not remain attached to the aircraft when the door is opened in emergency conditions.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

5 January 2006