AD/A320/209 Cargo Compartment Fire Extinguisher Wiring (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/A320/209 Cargo Compartment Fire Extinguisher Wiring 12/2007

Applicability:

Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, all models, all serial numbers which were delivered before 28 February 2007 and fitted with a cargo compartment fire extinguisher bottle installed during production, or whilst in service, in accordance with an Airbus Service Bulletin (SB), except aircraft on which Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) task 26.23.00/03 or 26.23.00/07 has been performed.

Requirement:

1.    Perform an inspection and continuity check of the cargo firing circuit continuity, in accordance with Airbus SB A320-26A1068 dated 19 March 2007 or later revision approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

2.    Rectify any discrepancies found during the Requirement 1 inspection and check.

Accomplishment of MRBR task 26.23.00/03 or 26.23.00/07 is an acceptable alternative method of compliance with the requirements of this Directive.

Note:  EASA AD 2007-0249 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1 - Within the next 600 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 2 - Before the next flight after the Requirement 1 inspection and check.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 November 2007.

Background:

The EASA has advised that during a planned maintenance visit on one A320 aircraft, a cross connection of the fire extinguishing circuit system was identified.  In case of fire, this cross connection will activate (discharge) the wrong forward or aft cargo compartment fire extinguisher bottle.

Failure to activate the correct bottle when required is classified as potentially catastrophic.

For the reasons described above, this Directive requires a one-time inspection and check of the cargo firing circuit continuity to confirm the correct connection of the dedicated wires between the discharge pushbutton switches and the relevant cargo bottle.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2 October 2007