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/A320/33
Amdt 2
Trimmable Horizontal Stabiliser Lightning Strike Protection Improvement
10/95
Applicability: All Model A320-111, -211, -212, -231 and -232 aircraft Serial Numbers 002 to 008,
010 to 014, 016 to 078, 080 to 104, 106 to 363, 365 to 384, 386 to 411, 413 to 433,
435 to 457, 459 to 467 and 469 to 472 all inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Aircraft without modifications 22621 and 23556 incorporated during manufacture
- incorporate the modifications in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletins A320-27-1041 Revision 1 dated 4 August 1993 and A320-29-1058 Revision 1 dated 28 November 1994 respectively.
2. Aircraft with modification 23556 incorporated during manufacture - action in accordance with Airbus Industrie All Operator Telex A320/AOT 29-10 R2 dated 13 February 1995.
3. Aircraft with modification 23556 incorporated in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1058 original issue dated 16 July 1993 - action in accordance with any one of the following Airbus Industrie All Operator Telexes A320/AOT 29-10 dated 15 June 1994, Revision 1 dated 23 September 1994 and Revision 2 dated 13 February 1995.
Note: DGAC AD 93-123-046(B)R1 dated 10 May 1995.
Compliance: 1. The original compliance was within 3500 hours’ time in service from 14 October 1993. The compliance for Amendment 1 was prior to 30 September 1995, this remains unchanged for Requirement 1.
2 and 3. Within 500 hours’ time in service from 14 September 1995.
Background: An operator has reported pitting marks on an elevator actuator shaft and slight leakage from some hydraulic pipe fittings, following a lightning strike on the elevator. Compliance with this Directive minimises the possibility of loss of hydraulic circuits being caused by lightning strikes in the elevator region. Amendment 1 was issued to reflect revisions to the Requirement Documents.
This Amendment is issued following a revision to the DGAC Airworthiness Directive and identifies the aircraft directly affected, corrects an error in the revision status of the requirement documents and introduces an additional action designed to ensure that the correct cable clamps are used.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, were enacted to establish the regulatory framework governing the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring that civil aircraft meet safety standards commensurate with international norms. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a cohesive and comprehensive set of regulations governing civil aviation safety, aiming to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the Australian aviation system. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, is responsible for administering these regulations. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all civil aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby safeguarding the well-being of passengers, crew, and the general public. This directive specifically targets Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, addressing issues arising from lightning strikes on the trimmable horizontal stabiliser to prevent potential loss of hydraulic circuits, thus enhancing overall flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Airbus Industrie A320-111, -211, -212, -231 and -232 aircraft with specified serial numbers. These regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and cover aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The directive mandates that all affected aircraft must incorporate modifications to their trimmable horizontal stabiliser to enhance lightning strike protection. This requirement is imperative to mitigate risks associated with potential hydraulic circuit failures following a lightning strike, particularly in the elevator region. Compliance timelines are stringent, with certain modifications needing to be completed within specific hours of service time from designated dates. The regulations provide clear guidance on which Airbus Industrie Service Bulletins and All Operator Telexes must be followed for compliance, ensuring uniformity and safety across the affected fleet. This directive extends to all aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers within Australia and ensures that the safety standards set by CASA are uniformly met.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft models, with one such directive (AD/A320/33 Amendment 2) targeting Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This directive (paragraph 1) pertains to trimmable horizontal stabiliser lightning strike protection improvements, applicable to specific serial numbers of these aircraft models (paragraph 2). The directive requires that aircraft without certain modifications (paragraph 3) must incorporate specific changes in accordance with designated Airbus Industrie Service Bulletins and Telexes. For aircraft with a particular modification already in place, additional actions are specified in relevant Airbus Industrie communications (paragraphs 4 and 5).
Under the directive, operators are obligated to ensure that all affected aircraft meet the specified requirements within certain timeframes. For aircraft not yet modified, compliance must occur within 3500 hours’ time in service from the date of the original directive or, for Amendment 1, prior to a specified date (paragraph 6). For aircraft with certain modifications, compliance must be achieved within 500 hours’ time in service from another specified date (paragraphs 7 and 8). These obligations are crucial to enhancing the aircraft's resilience to lightning strikes, particularly in the elevator region, and to prevent potential loss of hydraulic circuits.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in serious consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the specified compliance timeframes may face regulatory action, which could include fines, penalties, or other enforcement measures. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, such non-compliance can also lead to aircraft being grounded until the required modifications are made, potentially disrupting operations and incurring additional costs. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to safety standards to protect both the aircraft and its passengers.