COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
AD/A320/114 Frame 36 - Longitudinal Beams of the Pressure Panel
Applicability: All Model A320 aircraft, MSN 0002 to MSN 0107 without Airbus Industrie
3/2001
modification 21202/K1432 in production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320- 53-1029 in service.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the longitudinal beams in accordance with the Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1030.
2. If no crack is evident, repeat the Requirement 1 inspection.
3. If cracks are evident, apply corrective actions and the corresponding inspection program.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-531-155(B) refers.
Compliance: 1. Before accumulation of 30,000 flights since entry into service.
2. At intervals not exceeding 6,000 flights for aircraft without a centre tank and 18,000 flights for aircraft with a centre tank. Alternatively, embody Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1029, which is terminating action for the repeat inspection.
3. At threshold and intervals defined in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1030.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 March 2001.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: During fatigue tests, cracks were found around the fasteners connecting the pressure panel with the flexible bracket at FR36 adjacent to the longitudinal beams, left hand and right hand.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 February 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides the framework for regulating airworthiness standards and compliance requirements. The problem this legislation sought to address was ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet specific safety standards, particularly in response to identified safety concerns such as fatigue-related structural issues. In issuing the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/114 for Airbus Industrie A320 series aircraft, CASA aims to address a specific safety issue identified during fatigue tests, which revealed cracks around fasteners on the pressure panel at frame 36. This directive mandates inspections and corrective actions to prevent potential unsafe conditions, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft through timely inspections and necessary repairs.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of civil aviation. One such AD is AD/A320/114, which pertains to all Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft with manufacturing serial numbers (MSN) ranging from 0002 to 0107, excluding those that have already incorporated Airbus Industrie modification 21202/K1432 in production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1029 in service. This AD is issued to address identified safety concerns related to the longitudinal beams in the pressure panel of these aircraft. The directive requires specific inspections and, if necessary, corrective actions to be taken before the aircraft accumulates 30,000 flights since its entry into service and subsequently at specified intervals depending on whether the aircraft is equipped with a centre tank or not. The AD becomes effective from 22 March 2001 and is enforced through subordinate instruments, which include the detailed inspection and corrective action procedures outlined in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1030. This regulation applies nationally within Australia, overseen by CASA, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/114 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates specific actions to address a safety concern identified in Airbus Industrie A320 series aeroplanes. Specifically, section (a) of the AD applies to all A320 aircraft with manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) ranging from 0002 to 0107, unless they have undergone certain modifications or service bulletins. The directive requires an inspection of the longitudinal beams according to Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1030, and if no cracks are evident, the inspection must be repeated. If cracks are found, corrective actions and an inspection program must be implemented. Compliance with these requirements must occur before the aircraft accumulates 30,000 flights since entry into service, with further inspections at intervals not exceeding 6,000 flights for aircraft without a centre tank and 18,000 flights for those with a centre tank. Alternatively, the aircraft can embody Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1029, which terminates the need for repeat inspections.
Operators and owners of the affected Airbus A320 aircraft are obligated to ensure that the inspections and any necessary corrective actions are carried out in accordance with the AD. This includes adhering to the specified timelines for inspections and the procedures outlined in the relevant Airbus service bulletins. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and regulatory enforcement actions.
The AD also outlines potential legal and financial consequences for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can result in significant fines and other legal repercussions. Civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can include fines up to $210,000 for individuals and $1.05 million for corporations. Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, which can result in imprisonment for serious breaches. Therefore, operators must prioritise compliance to avoid these severe consequences.