COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/4 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A320/4
Amdt 2
Ram Air Turbine 10/2004
Applicability: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 aircraft series 100 and 200 which have not incorporated Service Bulletin (SB) A320-29-1030 (Modification 21892).
Requirement: Replace the Ram Air Turbine ejection jack Part Number (P/N) 114160003 with ejection jack P/N 114160004 or P/N 114160005 in accordance with AIRBUS INDUSTRIE SB A320-29-1030.
Note: DGAC AD 89-160-003 (B)R2 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight.
This Amendment becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: During a routine flight test an operator experienced problems with extension of the ram air turbine. If this occurs when the RAT is required a total loss of hydraulic/electrical power may result. To ensure the RAT functions correctly this amendment requires fitment of the modified ejector jack.
This amendment reflects the DGAC latest revision to the reference document with no change to the requirements. The applicability statement provides a terminating action from the requirements by including only those aeroplanes not modified.
Gary J Carr
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), specifically under Part 39 - 105, were enacted to ensure that civil aviation operations within Australia are conducted safely. One of the key aspects of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the body responsible for enforcing these regulations and issuing ADs to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operation. The AD discussed here, AD/A320/4 Amdt 2, was introduced to address a safety issue related to the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft series 100 and 200. The problem arose during a routine flight test where an operator experienced difficulties with the extension of the RAT. If this issue occurs when the RAT is required, it could lead to a total loss of hydraulic and electrical power. The directive aims to rectify this issue by requiring the replacement of the RAT ejection jack to ensure the RAT functions correctly, thereby enhancing overall aircraft safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to the maintenance and operation of civil aircraft within Australia, including those registered in Australia or operating in Australian airspace. This legislation mandates that certain actions be taken to ensure the safety of aircraft, particularly in the case of the Airbus Industrie A320 series 100 and 200 aeroplanes that have not yet incorporated specific service bulletin modifications. The directive in question, AD/A320/4 Amdt 2, focuses on the replacement of the Ram Air Turbine ejection jack, as outlined in AIRBUS INDUSTRIE SB A320-29-1030, to prevent potential issues such as the turbine's improper extension that could lead to a total loss of hydraulic or electrical power. This AD applies exclusively to A320 aircraft series 100 and 200 that have not incorporated Service Bulletin A320-29-1030, and it must be complied with before any further flight. The directive becomes effective from 30 September 2004, and its application is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) under Part 39, specifically Section 105, introduces Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/4 Amendment 2 concerning Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, effective from 30 September 2004. This directive addresses issues with the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on certain Airbus aircraft models. The AD applies to Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft series 100 and 200 that have not yet incorporated Service Bulletin (SB) A320-29-1030 (Modification 21892). The directive requires that the Ram Air Turbine ejection jack, currently identified by Part Number (P/N) 114160003, be replaced with either P/N 114160004 or P/N 114160005, in accordance with the instructions detailed in the referenced Service Bulletin. This replacement must be carried out before any further flight of the aircraft.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Owners and operators of Airbus Industrie A320 series 100 and 200 aircraft, who have not already implemented the specified modification, must ensure that the replacement of the Ram Air Turbine ejection jack is performed before the aircraft is flown again. This requirement aims to address potential issues with the extension of the RAT, which could lead to a total loss of hydraulic and electrical power if the RAT is required and fails to deploy. The replacement parts must be installed following the detailed instructions in the referenced Service Bulletin A320-29-1030, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The AD is a mandatory directive, and non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required modifications are made. This is to ensure that the safety of the aircraft and its occupants is not compromised. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these directives strictly, and operators found in breach may face penalties, including fines or other sanctions as prescribed by aviation safety regulations. The seriousness of the potential outcomes underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.