AD/A320/27 - Nose Wheel Steering Control

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes various airworthiness directives, including AD/A320/27, which addresses specific safety issues in Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This particular directive, introduced in 1992, targets the problem of nose wheels rotating to 90 degrees upon landing, which can cause substantial damage. The policy objective is to mandate updates to the Brake/Steering Control Unit's functional software, as specified in Airbus Industrie and Messier-Bugatti service bulletins, to prevent such occurrences. The directive mandates compliance by 23 July 1993, referencing the French civil aviation authority's directive DGAC AD 92-11-7-25(B) dated 13 May 1992.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, particularly the directive AD/A320/27, pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes and specifically targets the nose wheel steering control system. This directive applies to A320 series aircraft identified in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1094 dated 25 March 1992. The requirement is for compliance with the actions detailed in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1094 and Messier-Bugatti A320 Service Bulletin 580-32-3087, with reference to DGAC AD 92-117-25(B) dated 13 May 1992. The directive mandates the updating of the Brake/Steering Control Unit functional software to prevent incidents where the nose wheels rotate to 90 degrees upon landing, which has caused significant damage to the wheel. Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 23 July 1993, ensuring that the specified aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and mitigate the risk of the identified issue.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 – 105, establish the framework for ensuring that aircraft, including Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes, meet specific airworthiness standards. The legislation includes detailed directives to maintain safety and operational integrity. For instance, AD/A320/27, titled "Nose Wheel Steering Control," specifies the requirements for maintaining the nose wheel steering control system on A320 series aircraft. This directive applies to aircraft identified in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1094 dated 25 March 1992 (Section 1). The primary requirement is that operators must take action as outlined in the aforementioned service bulletins, including Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1094 and Messier-Bugatti A320 Service Bulletin 580-32-3087. These actions aim to prevent nose wheels from rotating to 90 degrees on landing, which could lead to significant damage to the wheel. The directive references DGAC AD 92-117-25(B) dated 13 May 1992 for additional guidance. The obligations under these regulations are stringent and focused on ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation. Operators of A320 series aircraft must adhere to the service bulletins and ensure that the Brake/Steering Control Unit's functional software is updated to prevent the aforementioned issues. This involves not only updating the software but also conducting necessary checks and maintenance to confirm that the changes have been correctly implemented and that the aircraft remains compliant with airworthiness standards. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved before 23 July 1993, as specified in the legislation. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and safety consequences. Breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The penalties for non-compliance can include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, they are designed to ensure that operators take the necessary steps to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. The overarching goal is to prevent accidents and ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation.