Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the issue of maintaining airworthiness standards for various aircraft models, including the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and compliance with specific safety directives to mitigate potential risks associated with structural integrity. One such directive, AD/A320/45, requires an external visual inspection of the fuselage fasteners at skin panel to frame joints 13 and 14 for A320 series aircraft with a manufacturer serial number (MSN) ranging from 005 to 030. This inspection must be performed before the aircraft reaches 10,000 flights or by 27 May 1995, whichever is later, and repeated at intervals not exceeding 6000 flights. This directive references Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1036 and is in response to findings from a fatigue test article that revealed damaged or missing rivet heads, necessitating stringent safety measures. The enactment of these regulations by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to enhance the safety standards of civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft maintain their airworthiness through regular and rigorous inspections. This is part of a broader effort to prevent potential hazards that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, ultimately safeguarding passengers, crew, and the public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives for Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/A320/45, applies to A320 series aircraft with a Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN) ranging from 005 to 030 inclusive. The directive is intended to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these specific aircraft by requiring a detailed visual inspection of the fuselage, focusing on the fasteners at skin panel to frame joints 13 and 14 on both the left and right sides between stringers 1 and 7. The inspections must be carried out in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1036, with reference to DGAC AD 92-199-028(B). Compliance with this directive necessitates that the specified inspection be completed before the aircraft reaches 10,000 flights or before 27 May 1995, whichever is later, and repeated at intervals not exceeding 6,000 flights. Notably, any modification in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1010 will nullify the requirement of this Airworthiness Directive. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Airworthiness Directive is governed by the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which is a Commonwealth legislation. As such, it applies nationally within the Australian jurisdiction and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive's scope is limited to the specified Airbus A320 series aircraft with the defined MSN range, focusing on a specific structural component identified as critical for safety. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive itself, but compliance can be negated by subsequent modifications as per Airbus Industrie guidelines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. One of the key provisions is the Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/45, which mandates detailed visual inspections of the fuselage (Section 5). This directive applies to Airbus A320 series aircraft with manufacturing serial numbers (MSN) ranging from 005 to 030 inclusive. The directive requires an external inspection for any missing or broken rivet heads located at fuselage frames 13 and 14 on both the left and right sides, specifically between stringers 1 and 7. This inspection must be conducted in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-53-1036, and references the French civil aviation authority's directive DGAC AD 92-199-028(B). The obligations imposed by AD/A320/45 are clear and precise. Operators of A320 series aircraft within the specified MSN range must ensure that the mandated inspections are performed. These inspections must occur before the aircraft accumulates 10,000 flights or before 27 May 1995, whichever is later. Following the initial inspection, repeat inspections are required at intervals not exceeding 6,000 flights. The directive also notes that any modifications in line with Airbus Industrie SB A320-53-1010 will nullify the requirement of this AD. This ensures that operators remain compliant with the latest safety standards and recommendations. In terms of compliance and enforcement, breaches of the AD/A320/45 provisions can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. While specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations can include fines and other civil penalties. Furthermore, severe non-compliance could potentially lead to criminal charges, especially if the failure to comply results in safety hazards or accidents. Operators must therefore adhere strictly to the inspection requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.