AD/A320/30 - Seat Track Joints at Frame 64

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to regulate civil aviation safety across the nation. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives addresses safety concerns and regulatory compliance for aircraft. This particular directive, AD/A320/30, focuses on Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, targeting seat track joints at frame 64 to mitigate risks associated with excessive gaps that could potentially lead to the release of seats and attached equipment during an emergency landing. The policy objective is to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft by mandating specific inspections and modifications as outlined in Airbus Industrie's Service Bulletin A320-53-1088. The directive is applicable to a specified range of aircraft serial numbers and requires compliance with detailed inspection and modification procedures before specific deadlines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. This regulation is mandatory for aircraft with specific serial numbers, which are listed comprehensively in the directive, mandating inspections and modifications to seat track joints at frame 64. The directive applies to all aircraft within the specified serial number ranges and is a requirement for ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly focusing on preventing the release of seats or attached equipment during emergency landings due to excessive seat track gaps. Compliance with these regulations is critical, with inspections mandated before certain deadlines and ongoing requirements for modifications if the gap exceeds 2.8mm. The regulation is enforced nationally across Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and administered by CASA.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 directive (section 39-105) address the inspection and modification of seat track joints at frame 64 of Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. Specifically, section (1) requires the inspection of the seat track joints at frame 64 in accordance with Airbus Industrie AOT 53-01 dated 27 August 1992. Section (2) mandates that if the gap exceeds 2.8mm, the joint should be modified in accordance with Airbus Industrie SB A320-53-1088. The directive applies to aircraft serial numbers 002 to 008, 010 to 014, 016 to 078, 080 to 122, 124 to 179, 183 to 194, 196 to 228, 230 to 251, and 253 to 255 inclusive. The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of the specified aircraft to conduct the necessary inspections and modifications. Operators must ensure that the inspections are carried out prior to 31 July 1993 and then at each configuration change if the gap is greater than 2.8mm. Furthermore, the modifications must be completed by 31 December 1995. These requirements aim to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential issues related to the seat track gap, such as the release of seats and attached equipment during an emergency landing. Failure to comply with the inspection and modification requirements outlined in this directive may result in serious safety risks. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Specifically, for contravening an airworthiness directive, a person can be subject to a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units for an individual and 10,000 penalty units for a body corporate, as outlined in section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. In addition to the financial penalties, non-compliance may also result in operational restrictions or the grounding of affected aircraft until the required modifications are completed. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.