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/A320/65
Amdt 2
Fuselage Reinforcement Section 18 2/98
Applicability: All models without Airbus Industrie modification 22764 embodied, or Service Bulletins A320-53-1110 and A320-53-1131 incorporated.
Requirement: Reinforce the fuselage at section 18 in accordance with the instructions of: Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1110 for frames 68 and 69; and, Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1131 for frames 65, 66, and 67.
Note: DGAC AD 97-315-109 (B) refers.
Compliance: Before 13 January 2002.
The compliance of the previous issue of this Directive remains unchanged. This amendment becomes effective on 29 January 1998.
Background: This directive was issued to increase the marginal strength of the rear fuselage to enable it to cope with an undetected tail scrape.
Amendment 1 reflected the amended compliance of the related DGAC AD.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD which introduces additional frames for reinforcement.
Amendment 1 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 2 January 1997. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 28 March 1996.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as a comprehensive set of rules to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105 specifically addresses the enforcement of airworthiness directives to maintain the safety standards of aircraft. One such directive, AD/A320/65 Amendment 2, pertains to the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, focusing on the reinforcement of the fuselage at section 18 to enhance structural integrity. This directive was introduced to address the problem of undetected tail scrapes which could potentially compromise the rear fuselage's strength. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation, aligning with international safety standards and mitigating potential risks to passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of these aircraft that do not have Airbus Industrie modification 22764 embodied, or Service Bulletins A320-53-1110 and A320-53-1131 incorporated. The directive mandates the reinforcement of the fuselage at section 18, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1110 for frames 68 and 69, and Service Bulletin A320-53-1131 for frames 65, 66, and 67. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory and must be achieved before 13 January 2002. This directive ensures the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by addressing structural integrity issues, thereby enhancing safety in civil aviation operations across the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive’s scope is not limited by state or territory boundaries, applying uniformly nationwide as a federal regulation under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, sets out the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. Section AD/A320/65 Amendment 2 specifically addresses fuselage reinforcement for these models. This directive applies to all Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes that do not have modification 22764 incorporated or have not adopted Service Bulletins A320-53-1110 and A320-53-1131 (Section 18). The primary requirement of this directive is to reinforce the fuselage at section 18, following specific instructions outlined in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletins A320-53-1110 and A320-53-1131. These bulletins provide detailed instructions for reinforcing frames 68 and 69, and frames 65, 66, and 67, respectively. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before 13 January 2002. The directive references DGAC AD 97-315-109 (B) for additional guidance.
The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear and specific. Operators and maintenance providers must ensure that the fuselage reinforcement is carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletins. This involves not only the physical reinforcement of the specified frames but also ensuring that all work is completed to the standards required by the bulletins, which are designed to increase the strength of the rear fuselage to handle an undetected tail scrape. Operators must also ensure that all modifications are documented and that the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition at all times.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance can lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in severe damage to the aircraft and endangering lives. Under Australian law, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for non-compliance. The maximum penalties can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges against the responsible individuals or entities. The specific penalties are determined based on the severity of the non-compliance and can vary widely, but they are intended to ensure that all operators take the airworthiness directives seriously and adhere to the required safety standards.