Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, establishes a framework for maintaining airworthiness standards within Australia. The regulations were enacted to ensure that aircraft and aeronautical products meet necessary safety requirements, thereby safeguarding public safety and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the delegate of which issued AD/A320/123 on 14 August 2001. This directive targets Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing an issue with the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator. The problem identified was the failure of the RAT to deploy during an operational test, which was traced to machining chips from the manufacturing process jamming the actuator. The directive requires affected aircraft to replace the RAT actuator in compliance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, with a compliance deadline of 31 May 2003. The AD aims to mitigate the risk of further incidents by enforcing this corrective action across the specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, including A320 series aircraft that have incorporated Airbus Industrie Modification 27189 (Installation of A319/A321 configuration RAT). The directive mandates the replacement of the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator in accordance with the instructions provided in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1098. This requirement is in response to an issue where, during an operational test, the RAT did not deploy due to machining chips jamming the actuator. The directive was issued to address this safety concern and ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The directive became effective on 4 October 2001 and compliance was required no later than 31 May 2003. This AD is applicable nationally within Australia, reflecting the regulatory scope of CASA over civil aviation safety. The directive applies uniformly across the relevant aircraft models and configurations, ensuring that all affected aircraft are addressed under this safety requirement.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, detail the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. The AD/A320/123 pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, targeting a specific issue with the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator. This AD, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998, mandates that the RAT actuator must be replaced for the affected aircraft models, as specified in the requirement section. The directive applies to A319 and A321 series aircraft and A320 series aircraft with Airbus Industrie Modification 27189. The AD imposes a clear requirement on the operators of the affected aircraft to replace the RAT actuator in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1098. This requirement is aimed at rectifying an unsafe condition discovered during an operational test, where the RAT failed to deploy due to machining chips jamming the actuator. The directive specifies that the replacement must be completed no later than 31 May 2003, ensuring that the necessary action is taken within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The AD explicitly states that the directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and non-compliance could lead to safety risks, potentially resulting in both civil and criminal penalties. The exact nature of these penalties is not detailed in the provided text, but it is implied that CASA has the power to enforce compliance through regulatory action. The directive became effective on 4 October 2001, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 September 2001, underscoring the urgency and importance of adhering to the mandated requirements.