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/A320/35 Fuel System Electrical Wiring 1/94
Applicability: Model A320-211, -212 and -213 aircraft with serial numbers 129 to 343, 345 to 347
and 349 to 363.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1052 Revision 1 dated 21 October 1993.
Note: DGAC AD 93-191-047(B) dated 27 October 1993 refers.
Compliance: Within 3500 flight cycles from 6 January 1994.
Background: Airbus Industrie have reported that the cushions on some P-Clips used in the fuel tank may be non fuel resistant and are liable to deteriorate. If the cushion deteriorates the metal of the P-Clip may wear the insulation of the wires in the wire bundle which could in turn cause an electrical arc if the aircraft is struck by lightning. Compliance with this Directive will decrease the likelihood of an electrical arc occurring in the fuel tank.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. A specific directive within this broader legislation, AD/A320/35, targets Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes to address a potential safety issue related to the fuel system electrical wiring. This directive was introduced in response to reports from Airbus that some P-Clips used in the fuel tank of certain A320 models might have cushions that are not resistant to fuel and could deteriorate over time. The deterioration of these cushions could lead to the metal of the P-Clip wearing the insulation of the wires, potentially causing an electrical arc if the aircraft is struck by lightning. The objective of this directive is to mandate compliance within 3,500 flight cycles from 6 January 1994, requiring action in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1052 Revision 1 dated 21 October 1993, thereby reducing the risk of electrical arcs in the fuel tank and enhancing flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates particular safety measures for certain Airbus Industrie aircraft models, namely the A319, A320, and A321 series. This particular directive, AD/A320/35, applies to specific serial numbers of the A320-211, -212, and -213 models, namely those ranging from serial numbers 129 to 343, 345 to 347, and 349 to 363. The regulation requires compliance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1052 Revision 1, dated 21 October 1993, to address potential issues with the fuel system's electrical wiring. Non-compliance with these directives can lead to significant safety risks, including the possibility of an electrical arc within the fuel tank if the aircraft is struck by lightning, which could be exacerbated by the deterioration of cushions on some P-Clips used in the fuel tank. Compliance must be achieved within 3500 flight cycles from 6 January 1994.
This directive applies to aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions from this regulation for the specified aircraft models and serial numbers. The application of this directive is precise and mandatory, leaving no room for deviation or partial compliance, underscoring the critical importance of aviation safety standards. The directive is part of a broader regulatory framework that may include further specifications and requirements through subordinate instruments, ensuring comprehensive oversight and adherence to safety protocols.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, PART 39 - 105, specifically AD/A320/35, concern the applicability and requirements for Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers within specified ranges (Section 1). These sections mandate that aircraft of model A320-211, -212 and -213, with serial numbers from 129 to 343, 345 to 347, and 349 to 363, must adhere to the Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1052 Revision 1 dated 21 October 1993 (Section 1). Compliance must be achieved within 3500 flight cycles from 6 January 1994 (Section 1).
These sections impose specific obligations on the parties or entities governed by the Civil Aviation Regulations. Operators of the affected Airbus models must ensure that the actions outlined in the referenced Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin are implemented (Section 1). This involves inspecting and potentially replacing the cushions on P-Clips used in the fuel tanks to ensure they are fuel resistant and not prone to deterioration (Section 1). The goal is to mitigate the risk of metal P-Clips wearing the insulation of the wires in the wire bundle, which could lead to an electrical arc if the aircraft is struck by lightning (Section 1).
Failure to comply with these directives may result in various consequences. Although the specific penalties or consequences are not detailed in the excerpt, breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved (Section 1). The severity of penalties may vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching aim is to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers by adhering to the specified airworthiness directives.