Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B01969, address the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This legislation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to maintain the safety of civil aviation through the specification of airworthiness directives. Specifically, this legislative instrument focuses on rectifying potential risks associated with angle of attack sensors, which can, if improperly positioned, lead to dangerous pitch down commands. The amendment to the original airworthiness directive is a response to a need for a permanent fix to a previously temporary measure, ensuring ongoing compliance with safety standards. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of simultaneous positioning of angle of attack sensors, thereby preventing any resultant pitch down commands that could compromise flight safety. This instrument was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure that all A320 models comply with the specified requirements within a defined timeframe, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. The requirement is for compliance within 100 hours’ time in service from 17 May 1990 or prior to 31 August 1991, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing this issue.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes operating within Australian airspace. This regulation mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the Angle of Attack Sensors of these aircraft models. The directive is aimed at mitigating the risk of simultaneous positioning of two angle of attack sensors, which could potentially result in a pitch down command. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours’ time in service from 17 May 1990 and must be completed prior to 31 August 1991. The directive references Service Bulletins A320-34-1012 and A320-34-1013, and it supersedes a temporary fix with a permanent modification as outlined in DGAC AD 89-198-004 (B). This legislative instrument is binding on all operators of the specified aircraft models within Australia, ensuring adherence to stringent safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, outlines the provisions for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, with a particular focus on the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. Under Section 105 of the Act, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. AD/A320/8 Amendment 1 is one such directive aimed at addressing the risk associated with the angle of attack sensors on these aircraft models (Section 10/90). The directive mandates actions to be taken in accordance with Service Bulletins (SB) A320-34-1012 and A320-34-1013 to rectify the positioning issue of the angle of attack sensors, which could potentially lead to a dangerous pitch-down command (Section 1). The primary obligations imposed by this directive on the operators of Airbus A320 series aeroplanes are to ensure compliance with the specified service bulletins. Operators must adhere to the requirements outlined in SB A320-34-1012 and SB A320-34-1013, which detail the necessary modifications to the angle of attack sensors. This includes performing the mandated actions within 100 hours’ time in service from 17 May 1990 or prior to 31 August 1991, as stipulated in the directive (Section 1). Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft not meeting the necessary airworthiness standards, thereby potentially rendering it unsafe for operation. Failure to adhere to the provisions set forth in AD/A320/8 Amendment 1 can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for various offences and penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators found to be in breach of these requirements may face civil penalties, including fines, as well as potential criminal charges. The maximum penalties for such offences can be substantial, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring aircraft safety. The consequences of not addressing the angle of attack sensor issue as mandated by the directive could not only lead to regulatory sanctions but also pose a direct threat to flight safety, making strict compliance imperative.