AD/A320/70 - Landing Gear Retraction Control Circuit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Government and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of specific aircraft models, such as the Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations by issuing directives that require the rectification of identified safety issues. One such directive, AD/A320/70, pertains to the landing gear retraction control circuit of A320 series aeroplanes, aiming to prevent landing gear cycle interrupts by mandating the replacement of a specific capacitor in the electronic rack. The directive became effective on 7 November 1996, with compliance required prior to 7 November 1997, in response to incidents where the rupture of capacitor 57GA led to landing gear malfunctions during functional tests.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Airworthiness Directives concerning Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the landing gear retraction control circuit. This legislation mandates that the directive applies to all A320 series aeroplanes that have not incorporated Airbus Industrie modifications 21574 or 21999, or the Service Bulletin A320-32-1139 dated 20 September 1994. The directive requires the replacement of capacitor 57GA, installed in electronic rack 90VU, in accordance with the Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1139 Revision 1 dated 30 December 1994, to ensure airworthiness. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved prior to 7 November 1997, as the directive became effective on 7 November 1996. This legislative requirement is part of the broader framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australian airspace and beyond.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, detail the Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for various aircraft types. The AD/A320/70 focuses on Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, particularly those that have not incorporated Airbus Industrie modifications 21574 (PM 2025), 21999, or Service Bulletin A320-32-1139 dated 20 September 1994. This directive mandates the replacement of capacitor 57GA, located in the electronic rack 90VU, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-32-1139 Revision 1 dated 30 December 1994. This directive also references DGAC AD 96-187-085(B). Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 7 November 1997, and the directive itself became effective on 7 November 1996. The directive was issued in response to reported landing gear cycle interrupts during functional tests, which were traced back to the rupture of capacitor 57GA, which plays a crucial role in allowing the retraction of landing gear following the loss of electrical power. The AD imposes several obligations on the entities it governs, primarily focusing on the maintenance and safety of the affected aircraft. Operators of A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes must ensure that capacitor 57GA is replaced with an electrolyte capacitor featuring a tantalum casing as specified in the referenced Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin. This replacement must be completed before the compliance deadline of 7 November 1997 to meet the regulatory requirements set forth by CASA. Additionally, operators must ensure that all maintenance activities are conducted in accordance with the guidelines and specifications provided by Airbus Industrie and CASA to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD/A320/70 could result in severe consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to the grounding of affected aircraft, which would disrupt flight operations and potentially endanger passengers and crew. Furthermore, operators found in breach of these regulations could face significant penalties. While the exact penalties are not specified within the AD itself, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to a substantial amount, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring aircraft safety. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they underscore the importance of adhering to CASA's directives to maintain aviation safety standards.