AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/137 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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/A320/137
Amdt 1
Fuel Probes and Fuel Tank Level Sensors 12/2003
Applicability: A319 and A320 series aeroplanes, all manufacturers serial numbers (MSN) except those with Airbus modification 28904 embodied during production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-28-1087 incorporated.
A319 and A320 series aeroplanes, all MSN, with a first Additional Centre Tank (ACT) installed in accordance with Airbus modification 25714 embodied during production or Airbus Industrie SB A320-28-1081, except aeroplanes that had both Airbus modifications 28904 and 30196 embodied during production or have incorporated SB A320-28-1087.
A319 and A320 series aeroplanes, all MSN, with a second ACT installed in accordance with Airbus modification 26131 embodied during production or Airbus Industrie SB A320-28-1081, except aeroplanes that had both Airbus modifications 28904 and 30492 embodied during production or have incorporated SB A320-28- 1087.
A319 series aeroplanes, all MSN, with Airbus modifications 28238, 28162 and 28342 embodied during production, except aeroplanes that had Airbus modifications 28720, 28904 and 30227 embodied during production or have incorporated both SB’s A320- 28-1086 and A320-28-1087.
Requirement: 1. Unless already accomplished modify the fuel tank probe electrical connectors in accordance with SB A320-28-1087.
2. For A319 series aeroplanes with Airbus modifications 28238, 28162 and 28342 embodied during production, in addition to SB A320-28-1087, replace the fuel tank level sensors in accordance with SB A320-28-1086.
Note: DGAC AD 2002-220(B) R1 refers.
Compliance: For Requirements 1 and 2 - Remains unchanged as ‘Either before 31 December 2004 or within 4,000 hours’ time in service after the effective date of the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs first’.
This Amendment becomes effective on 27 November 2003.
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/137 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: The French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC) has advised that investigations performed by Airbus Industrie have revealed a potential risk of a 28VDC short circuit, external to the fuel tank, to the fuel quantity indication wiring that enters the fuel tank may lead to overheating of the probes. This condition could result in ignition of fuel vapours within the fuel tank.
Additionally, the DGAC has advised that Airbus Industrie found, during their investigations, that the additional centre tanks do not meet the Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) 25.969 for an expansion space of not less than 2% of tank capacity.
The original issue of this Directive required modification of the fuel probe electrical connectors and the lowering of the high-level fuel tank sensors in certain aeroplanes.
This amendment does not change the original requirements or compliance, it extends the applicability to aeroplanes not originally covered and incorporates minor editorial changes.
The original issue of this Directive became effective on 13 June 2002.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 November 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/137 Amendment 1, issued in 2003, addresses safety concerns identified by the French Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) related to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The directive, enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to mitigate the risk of a 28VDC short circuit that could lead to overheating and potential ignition of fuel vapours within the fuel tank. Additionally, it addresses non-compliance with Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) 25.969 concerning the expansion space in additional centre tanks. This legislative instrument revokes the previous AD AD/A320/137 and extends its applicability to additional aircraft configurations, ensuring broader safety coverage. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by mandating specific modifications to fuel probe electrical connectors and, in some cases, fuel tank level sensors.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/137 Amendment 1 applies specifically to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, with particular attention to those aircraft that have specific manufacturers serial numbers (MSN) and modifications embodied during production or incorporated service bulletins. The AD excludes aeroplanes that have certain Airbus modifications, such as 28904, and those that have incorporated specific service bulletins (SB), such as A320-28-1087. The AD aims to address a potential risk of a 28VDC short circuit that could lead to overheating of fuel quantity indication wiring, potentially causing fuel vapour ignition within the fuel tank. Additionally, the AD mandates compliance with Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) 25.969 for an adequate expansion space in the additional centre tanks. The requirement for modification of fuel tank probe electrical connectors and, in certain cases, the replacement of fuel tank level sensors must be completed before 31 December 2004 or within 4,000 hours of time in service after the effective date of the original AD issue, whichever is sooner. This AD, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and effective from 27 November 2003, applies throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all relevant aircraft operating within its jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR) focuses on the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. Section 1 of the AD specifies the applicability of the directive to certain aircraft models and manufacturers serial numbers (MSN), excluding those with particular Airbus modifications or Service Bulletins (SB) incorporated. The primary requirement, detailed in Section 2, is to modify the fuel tank probe electrical connectors in accordance with SB A320-28-1087. For A319 series aeroplanes with specific Airbus modifications, an additional requirement is to replace the fuel tank level sensors as per SB A320-28-1086. The compliance section, outlined in Section 3, mandates that the required modifications must be completed either before 31 December 2004 or within 4,000 hours of time in service after the effective date of the original issue of this Directive, whichever comes first.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. These parties must ensure that the modifications outlined in the directive are carried out in accordance with the specified instructions and within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential legal consequences. The AD also requires operators and owners to maintain records of compliance with the directive, which may be subject to inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Section 4 of the AD outlines potential consequences for non-compliance. While specific penalties are not mentioned in the text, non-compliance with an AD can lead to severe civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR). These may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. Operators and owners found in breach of the AD may also face reputational damage and operational disruptions, further emphasising the importance of compliance.