AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/122 and issues the following 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.
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/122
Amdt 1
Crew Oxygen Supply 10/2001
Applicability: All A319, A320 or A321 series aeroplanes, without either Airbus Industrie Modification 21946 or 21999 embodied during production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-35-1003 dated 26 August 1991 or Revision 1 dated 28 January 1993 incorporated whilst in service.
Requirement: Replace the low pressure oxygen valve Part Number (P/N) DVE90-04 by a new modified valve P/N DVE90-05 or DVE90-06 in accordance with SB A320-35-1003, A320-35-1003 Revision 1 and/or SB A320-35-1016 dated 31 July 1996.
Note: DGAC AD 2001-237(B) R1 refers.
Compliance: Before 31 October 2002.
This Amendment becomes effective on 4 October 2001.
Background: The Direction Générale de L’Aviation Civile of France has advised that, following an inflight test, crew oxygen was not available. Investigation revealed that there was a discrepancy between the position of the solenoid operated low-pressure valve and the controlling push button switch. Several reset actions of the push button were required before oxygen became available. This condition could, in the event of rapid decompression or smoke in the cockpit, prevent the crew correctly responding to an emergency.
This original issue of this Directive required the replacement of the solenoid operated oxygen low pressure valve.
This Amendment identifies an additional modification that, if embodied during production, nullifies the requirement to replace the solenoid operated oxygen low pressure valve
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/122 Amdt 1 (Continued)
The original issue of this directive became effective 6 September 2001.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 August 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 September 2001.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, specifically by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, aims to address safety concerns related to the crew oxygen supply system in Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This directive revokes the previous AD AD/A320/122 and amends it to require the replacement of the low pressure oxygen valve to mitigate the risk of oxygen unavailability during an emergency. The policy objective is to ensure that the aircraft maintain an adequate oxygen supply for the crew, thereby enhancing flight safety and emergency preparedness. The directive became effective on 4 October 2001, with compliance required by 31 October 2002, as a response to findings by the Direction Générale de L’Aviation Civile of France regarding discrepancies in the oxygen supply system.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains specifically to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes that lack either Airbus Industrie Modification 21946 or 21999 incorporated during production, or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-35-1003 dated 26 August 1991 or its Revision 1 dated 28 January 1993 implemented in service. The directive, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and signed by Eugene Paul Holzapfel, a delegate of CASA, aims to rectify an unsafe condition concerning the low-pressure oxygen valve. The requirement set forth in this AD mandates the replacement of the existing low-pressure oxygen valve with a new modified valve, as per the specified Service Bulletins, to ensure the availability of crew oxygen in emergency situations. The compliance deadline for these modifications was before 31 October 2002, and the directive became effective on 4 October 2001. The AD revokes the previous directive AD/A320/122, which was effective from 6 September 2001, and this amendment clarifies that certain modifications during production can nullify the requirement to replace the oxygen valve.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/122 Amdt 1, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), mandates specific actions for ensuring the safety of Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. According to the directive, the low pressure oxygen valve part number DVE90-04 must be replaced by a new modified valve, either part number DVE90-05 or DVE90-06, for all A319, A320, or A321 series aeroplanes that do not have Airbus Industrie Modification 21946 or 21999 embodied during production, or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-35-1003 dated 26 August 1991 or Revision 1 dated 28 January 1993 incorporated while in service (section 10/2001). This action must be taken in accordance with SB A320-35-1003, SB A320-35-1003 Revision 1, and/or SB A320-35-1016 dated 31 July 1996, and must be completed before 31 October 2002.
The directive imposes several obligations on the entities it governs. First, it requires that the specified modifications be carried out on eligible aircraft to ensure that the crew oxygen supply system functions correctly. This involves replacing the low pressure oxygen valve with a modified version to prevent discrepancies between the valve position and the controlling switch. Second, it mandates that these changes be performed in accordance with the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletins. Finally, the directive sets a compliance deadline, requiring that the modifications be completed by 31 October 2002.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to serious repercussions under Australian aviation law. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific circumstances of the case. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of affected aircraft, leading to significant operational disruptions and financial losses for the operators. The directive emphasises the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.