COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/28 Pylon Fuel Return Line Connection
and Pylon Sealant Integrity
2/93
DM
Applicability: Serial numbers 002 to 180, 183 to 194, 196 to 315, 317 to 321, 323 to 325 and 328 to
334 inclusive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Airbus Industrie AOT 28-04 Revision 1 dated 9 September 1992.
Note: DGAC AD 92-228-037(B) of 28 October 1992 refers.
Compliance: Within 500 flying hours from 1 Jan 1993.
Background: During the final phase of a landing, the Number 2 engine fire warning of an aircraft illuminated twice for several seconds. The engine was shut down normally. A small fire fed by hot fuel from a loose return line connection had occurred on top of the engine. This fuel had passed through deteriorated sealant in the pylon drain system on to the engine where it ignited.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduce Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of civil aircraft. One such directive, AD/A320/28, pertains to the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, focusing on the integrity of the pylon fuel return line connection and the pylon sealant. Enacted to address issues such as engine fires due to loose connections and degraded sealant, this directive mandates compliance with Airbus Industrie AOT 28-04 Revision 1 dated 9 September 1992. The directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mitigate risks associated with fuel leaks and subsequent fires, ensuring that affected aircraft are maintained to high safety standards within 500 flying hours from 1 January 1993. This policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by preventing potential fire hazards linked to fuel system failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, namely those ranging from 002 to 180, 183 to 194, 196 to 315, 317 to 321, 323 to 325, and 328 to 334 inclusive. This legislation mandates compliance with Airbus Industrie AOT 28-04 Revision 1 dated 9 September 1992, which refers to DGAC AD 92-228-037(B) of 28 October 1992, concerning the pylon fuel return line connection and the integrity of the pylon sealant. The requirement is that actions be taken in accordance with these directives within 500 flying hours from 1 January 1993. This regulation is critical in ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft, addressing the risk of engine fires caused by issues with the fuel return line connection and sealant integrity.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, contain provisions related to airworthiness directives for various aircraft types. Section 105 of the schedule pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/A320/28 addresses the pylon fuel return line connection and pylon sealant integrity (section 2/93DM). This regulation applies to aircraft with serial numbers 002 to 180, 183 to 194, 196 to 315, 317 to 321, 323 to 325, and 328 to 334 inclusive. The directive mandates compliance with Airbus Industrie AOT 28-04 Revision 1 dated 9 September 1992, and references DGAC AD 92-228-037(B) of 28 October 1992.
The directive requires that the specified actions be taken to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Specifically, the pylon fuel return line connection must be checked and, if necessary, corrected to prevent any loose connections that could lead to fuel leaks. Additionally, the integrity of the pylon sealant must be verified to prevent deterioration that could allow hot fuel to pass through and potentially cause engine fires. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 500 flying hours from 1 January 1993.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the pylon fuel return line connections on their Airbus A319, A320, and A321 series aircraft are secure and correctly installed as per the referenced Airbus Operating Technique (AOT). Additionally, the operators are required to inspect and maintain the integrity of the pylon sealant. This involves regular checks and maintenance activities to detect and rectify any issues before they can lead to safety hazards.
Failure to comply with the directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the airworthiness directive. This can include the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Action, the imposition of fines, and the potential grounding of non-compliant aircraft. The severity of the penalties may vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. The regulations do not specify maximum penalties in this particular directive, but non-compliance with CASA directives can generally lead to significant financial and operational repercussions for the operators involved.