AD/A320/81 - Connecting Angle Between Frame 56 and Frame Support at Stringer 38

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation activities within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Regulations, addressing the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, is instrumental in ensuring that aircraft meet stringent safety standards. One such directive, AD/A320/81, pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes and targets the inspection of a specific connecting angle to prevent structural integrity issues. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential cracking in the connecting angle between Frame 56 and Frame Support at Stringer 385/97, which, if undetected, could compromise the safety of these aircraft models. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft, ensuring compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The AD/A320/81 directive became effective on 24 April 1997 and requires inspections in accordance with A320-53-1084 Rev 1. The inspections must occur before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flights and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12,000 flights unless cracking is detected, in which case the inspection intervals are adjusted as specified in the requirement document. This directive aims to preemptively address structural issues, thereby safeguarding the safety of passengers and crew, and maintaining the operational integrity of the aircraft in question.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, issuing AD/A320/81 concerning the connecting angle between Frame 56 and Frame Support at Stringer 385/97. This directive applies to all models and serial numbers of the specified Airbus series unless Airbus Industrie Mod 20941 is embodied or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1011 has been incorporated. Compliance necessitates inspection in accordance with A320-53-1084 Rev 1, with specific reference to DGAC AD 96-237-090(B). The inspections must occur before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flights and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 12,000 flights. If cracking is detected, inspections must adhere to the specified thresholds and intervals outlined in the Requirement Document. This directive became effective on 24 April 1997 and is intended to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft by detecting potential cracking in the designated connecting angle.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, mandates the compliance with certain Airworthiness Directives for Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/A320/81, pertains to the connecting angle between Frame 56 and Frame Support at Stringer 385/97. This directive applies to A320 models and serial numbers without Airbus Industrie Mod 20941 embodied, or Airbus Industrie SB A320-53-1011 incorporated (section 1). The primary requirement of this directive is to inspect the specified area in accordance with A320-53-1084 Rev 1. A reference note indicates that DGAC AD 96-237-090(B) also applies, suggesting a cross-reference to other regulatory documents or standards. Compliance with AD/A320/81 necessitates that inspections be conducted before the accumulation of 20,000 flights. Subsequent to this initial inspection, inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 12,000 flights. However, if cracking is detected, the inspections must be conducted in accordance with the specific thresholds and intervals outlined in the requirement document (section 2). This directive underscores the importance of regular and stringent inspections to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft, particularly focusing on the connecting angle between Frame 56 and Frame Support at Stringer 385/97. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and designed to mitigate risks associated with structural failure. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft are required to adhere strictly to the inspection schedules and protocols outlined in the directive. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and significant operational disruptions. The directive aims to ensure that any potential issues are identified and rectified promptly, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of the aircraft. Breaches of the requirements set out in AD/A320/81 can have serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail specific penalties for non-compliance in this directive, general provisions within the regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines and the potential revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Criminal penalties could apply if non-compliance results in a safety incident, leading to prosecution and potential imprisonment. The severity of these penalties underscores the critical importance of adhering to the stipulated inspection intervals and procedures to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards.