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 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/A320/164 Cargo Restraint Strap Assemblies 1/2005
DM
Applicability: Model A320 series aircraft, on which cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS have been installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY.
Requirement: Revise the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), and the cargo- loading procedures of the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM), to include the following information (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM and the WBM):
“Discontinue the use of STC ST01004NY to install Airline Container Manufacturing Company Inc., cargo restraint straps, part number 1519-MCIDS, as the only means of securing cargo to Technical Standard Order (TSO) C90c/NAS3610 pallets. Such cargo restraint straps may continue to be used a supplemental restraints to secure cargo to TSO C90c/NAS3610 pallets, or to the cargo restraint fittings in the aircraft floor, per the aircraft manufacturer’s weight and balance manuals, and within the strap rated load (5,000 lbs).”
Note 1: If the above statement has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM and the WBM, the general revisions may be incorporated into the AFM and WBM, and the copy of this Directive may then be removed from the AFM and WBM.
Note 2: FAA AD 2004-22-01 Amdt 39-13829 refers.
Compliance: Within 14 days after 1 December 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 1 December 2004.
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/164 (continued)
Background: The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent shifting or unrestrained cargo in the cargo compartment, which could cause an unexpected change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity, damage to the aircraft structure and/or flight control system, a hazard to the flightcrew, and/or possible loss of controllability of the aircraft.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/164 was issued in 2004 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns related to cargo restraint strap assemblies on Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The directive was introduced to prevent issues such as shifting or unrestrained cargo, which could lead to an unexpected change in the aircraft's centre of gravity, potential damage to the aircraft structure or flight control system, hazards to the flight crew, and possible loss of controllability. This Airworthiness Directive mandates that airlines update their Aircraft Flight Manual and Weight and Balance Manual to discontinue the use of certain cargo restraint straps for securing cargo, while allowing their continued use as supplemental restraints under specific conditions. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by ensuring proper cargo restraint protocols are followed.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/164 pertains specifically to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes that have cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS installed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY. The directive applies to aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and relevant personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of these aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD mandates that operators revise their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and Weight and Balance Manual (WBM) to incorporate specific instructions regarding the use of the aforementioned cargo restraint straps. Failure to comply with the AD within the stipulated timeframe of 14 days after 1 December 2004 will result in non-compliance with Australian aviation safety regulations. This AD aims to mitigate risks associated with unsecured cargo that could potentially lead to severe safety hazards.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/164 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Airbus Industrie A320 series aircraft equipped with cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY. The directive mandates that operators revise the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and the cargo-loading procedures of the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM) to include specific information regarding the discontinuance of using STC ST01004NY for installing Airline Container Manufacturing Company Inc. cargo restraint straps, part number 1519-MCIDS, as the only means of securing cargo to Technical Standard Order (TSO) C90c/NAS3610 pallets (section 1). Instead, these straps can only be used as supplementary restraints to secure cargo to TSO C90c/NAS3610 pallets or to the cargo restraint fittings in the aircraft floor, adhering to the aircraft manufacturer’s weight and balance manuals and within the strap's rated load of 5,000 lbs. This requirement is intended to prevent potential issues such as cargo shifting, which could lead to an unexpected change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity, structural damage, hazards to the flight crew, and possible loss of controllability.
Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure the necessary revisions are incorporated into the AFM and WBM within 14 days of the directive’s effective date of 1 December 2004. This includes updating the manuals to reflect the discontinuance of STC ST01004NY as the sole method for installing the specified cargo restraint straps and including the alternative methods and restrictions as outlined in the directive. Once the general revisions are incorporated, the copy of the directive itself can be removed from the AFM and WBM. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-compliance with airworthiness regulations, potentially leading to safety risks and legal consequences.
Failure to adhere to the requirements stipulated in this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications, including unexpected changes in the aircraft’s centre of gravity, potential damage to the aircraft structure and flight control system, hazards to the flight crew, and possible loss of controllability. Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive itself, but generally, severe penalties are imposed for breaches of airworthiness requirements.