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/A320/37 Thrust Reverser Check Valve Replacement 7/94
Applicability: All A320 aircraft not incorporating Airbus Industrie modification 22537 or SB A320- 29-1048 R1.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1.
Note: DGAC AD 94-059-054(B) dated 16 March 1994 refers.
Compliance: No later than 31 December 1994.
Background: Airbus Industrie advise that this action is required to prevent pressurisation of the Hydraulic Control Unit return line in the event of failure in the closed position of the check valve in the thrust reverser hydraulic return line.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, contain detailed provisions to ensure the safety of civil aviation. One specific part of these regulations, Part 39 - 105, addresses Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types, including Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The aim of this legislative instrument is to mandate specific maintenance actions to address identified safety issues and ensure that aircraft remain airworthy. For example, Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/37 mandates the replacement of the thrust reverser check valve to prevent potential pressurisation of the Hydraulic Control Unit return line, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern identified by Airbus Industrie, requiring action to be taken by aircraft operators to mitigate the risk associated with the check valve failure in the thrust reverser hydraulic return line. The directive references Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1 and mandates that the required action must be completed by 31 December 1994. This legislative measure is part of the broader framework established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates the replacement of the thrust reverser check valve, as outlined in AD/A320/37. The directive is pertinent to all A320 aircraft that do not incorporate Airbus Industrie modification 22537 or Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1. The requirement necessitates compliance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1, with reference to DGAC AD 94-059-054(B) dated 16 March 1994. Operators must ensure that the specified action is taken no later than 31 December 1994 to prevent the pressurisation of the Hydraulic Control Unit return line in the event of a failure in the closed position of the check valve in the thrust reverser hydraulic return line. The directive extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the stipulated safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, section 105, under the Airworthiness Directives, mandate the replacement of the thrust reverser check valve in Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. This directive is encapsulated in AD/A320/37, which applies to all A320 aircraft that have not yet incorporated Airbus Industrie modification 22537 or Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1 (paragraph 1). The requirement is to undertake the action detailed in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1048 R1. This directive references DGAC AD 94-059-054(B) dated 16 March 1994, which is relevant to compliance with this directive (paragraph 2). The action must be completed by 31 December 1994 (paragraph 3).
Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive involves ensuring that the thrust reverser check valve in the specified aircraft is replaced as per the requirements of the Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin. This involves meticulous attention to the technical specifications and procedures outlined in the bulletin, ensuring that all modifications and replacements are carried out in accordance with industry standards and manufacturer guidelines. The directive's applicability is clear, focusing on aircraft that have not yet incorporated the specified modifications or service bulletins, thereby necessitating immediate action for those aircraft to meet safety standards (paragraphs 1-3).
Non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive could potentially lead to serious safety issues, particularly related to the pressurisation of the Hydraulic Control Unit return line, which can occur if the check valve fails in the closed position. This failure could compromise the integrity of the aircraft's hydraulic systems, leading to significant safety risks. Therefore, it is imperative for operators and maintenance personnel to adhere to the directive's requirements to prevent such failures (paragraph 4).
Should there be a breach of this Airworthiness Directive, the consequences can be severe. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in substantial fines, enforcement actions, and potential criminal charges for those responsible. In addition, operators may face operational restrictions or even grounding of affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The seriousness of these potential consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the directive's requirements to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation operations (paragraph 5).