AD/A320/23 Amdt 2 - Wire Loom Chafing at Conduit Exits

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by AD/A320/23 Amendment 2, was introduced to address the problem of wire loom chafing at conduit exits in Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Commonwealth Parliament, established these regulations to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. The primary objective of this legislation is to prevent the risk of short circuits caused by wire chafing, which could potentially lead to engine fire extinguisher bottle circuitry failures. This amendment, which became effective on 2 February 1995, includes new inspection requirements for the main landing gear bays, and it updates the existing requirements for other areas of the aircraft to enhance overall safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/23 Amendment 2 addresses the issue of wire loom chafing at conduit exits. This regulation applies to all A320 series aircraft that have not incorporated Airbus Industrie Modification 22109 or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-24-1045 Revision 3. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions for wires in specific zones to mitigate the risk of short circuits, which could result from chafing of the wiring. Compliance requirements specify inspection intervals and actions to be taken if wires show signs of chafing or overheating, as well as realignment and protection of wire looms. The directive's geographic reach is national, applying to all aircraft within Australia. The regulation is enforced through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes specific directives for the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/A320/23 Amendment 2, pertains to wire loom chafing at conduit exits. This directive applies to all A320 series aircraft that have not incorporated Airbus Industrie Modification 22109 or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-24-1045 Revision 3 (section 1). It mandates that certain wire inspections and repairs must be carried out to prevent the risk of short circuits due to wire chafing. The directive specifies that wires in various zones of the aircraft must be inspected for signs of chafing or overheating. For any wire showing such signs, the directive requires that the wire be repaired or replaced in accordance with the aircraft Maintenance Manual or Aircraft Wiring Manual (section 1(a)). Additionally, any wire loom not correctly guided into the conduit end fitting must be re-aligned and protected, following the guidance in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-24-1045 Revision 1 or a temporary repair as defined in Airbus Industrie SB A320-24-1044 Revision 2 (section 1(b)). These inspections must be conducted at specific intervals: within 450 hours of service after 26 December 1991, and then at intervals not exceeding 450 hours for Requirements 1 and 2, and at intervals not exceeding 3500 hours for Requirement 3 (section 2). Compliance with Airbus Industrie SB A320-24-1045 Revision 3 is considered the terminating action for all three requirements. However, if temporary repairs as per Airbus Industrie SB A320-24-1044 Revision 2 or 3 are performed instead of permanent repairs, repeat inspections are necessary (section 3). Failure to adhere to these directives could lead to potential risks such as short circuits, which might compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive became effective on 2 February 1995, and any non-compliance could result in severe safety risks, although specific penalties or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed in the text.