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/A320/76 Sliding Window Frame 2/97
Applicability: Airbus A320, models -111 and -211, with manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 002 to 004 and 023 without Airbus Industrie Modification 20473 incorporated.
Requirement: Inspect, from outside the aircraft, the sliding window frame in accordance with Airbus Industrie SB A320-53-1065. Inspect left and right window frame for MSN 002, right side for MSN 003 and MSN 004, and left side for MSN 023.
Note: French DGAC AD 96-235-088(B) refers.
Compliance: Inspect before exceeding 20 000 flights. Re-inspect at intervals not exceeding 13 000 flights.
This Airworthiness Directive takes effect on 30 January 1997.
Background: During the forward fuselage fatigue test, damage was detected on the left sliding window frame. This directive is issued to detect cracks in this area at an early stage to maintain structural integrity.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to regulate various aspects of civil aviation safety and ensure that aircraft are maintained to a certain standard of airworthiness. Specifically, Part 39 of these Regulations includes detailed provisions about airworthiness directives, which are formal and enforceable rules regarding the design, construction, maintenance, performance, and operation of aircraft. The problem these regulations aim to address is the maintenance of aircraft safety and integrity through consistent and rigorous oversight. This includes the requirement to inspect and ensure that specific components of aircraft, such as the sliding window frames on Airbus A320 series aeroplanes, are maintained according to set safety standards. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that all civil aircraft within Australian jurisdiction meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew, as well as the public on the ground.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD/A320/76) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Airbus Industrie A320, A319, and A321 series aeroplanes, more precisely, models -111 and -211 with specific manufacturer’s serial numbers (MSN) 002 to 004 and 023, excluding those that have incorporated Airbus Industrie Modification 20473. This regulation applies to these particular aircraft to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety by addressing a specific structural issue identified during fatigue tests. The directive mandates an inspection of the sliding window frame from the outside of the aircraft, adhering to the guidelines set out in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1065. It requires a thorough visual inspection of the left and right window frames for MSN 002, the right side for MSN 003 and MSN 004, and the left side for MSN 023. This requirement ensures that any potential damage or cracks are identified and rectified early to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive involves conducting the initial inspection before the aircraft exceeds 20,000 flights and subsequent re-inspections at intervals not exceeding 13,000 flights, thereby ensuring that the safety and airworthiness standards are consistently upheld throughout the operational life of these aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate adherence to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for ensuring the safety of civil aircraft. Section AD/A320/76 pertains to the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, particularly addressing the sliding window frame. This directive applies to Airbus A320 models -111 and -211 with specific manufacturer’s serial numbers (MSN) 002 to 004 and 023, unless Airbus Industrie Modification 20473 has been incorporated (section 1). The requirement outlined in this directive is to inspect the sliding window frame externally in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1065. The inspection should cover the left and right window frames for MSN 002, the right side for MSN 003 and MSN 004, and the left side for MSN 023 (section 2). This directive references French DGAC AD 96-235-088(B) for additional context (section 3).
Compliance with AD/A320/76 involves conducting an initial inspection before the aircraft exceeds 20,000 flights. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 13,000 flights. The directive became effective on 30 January 1997 (section 4). The underlying rationale for this directive stems from fatigue tests conducted on the forward fuselage, which detected damage on the left sliding window frame. The directive aims to detect any potential cracks early, ensuring the structural integrity of the aircraft (section 5).
Entities governed by this Act must ensure that the specified inspections are performed meticulously. This includes adhering to the outlined intervals and using the prescribed inspection methods. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to significant safety risks, potentially compromising the airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators and maintenance personnel must be aware of these obligations and take appropriate action to maintain compliance (section 6).
Failure to comply with the AD/A320/76 directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These penalties can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but they may vary based on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. Ensuring adherence to these directives is critical to maintaining the safety standards required by Australian aviation law (section 7).