AD/A320/9 - Fuel Probes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, include a range of provisions aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within Australia. One such legislative instrument, F2006B01979, addresses specific safety concerns regarding Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This particular legislative instrument, part of the broader civil aviation safety framework, was introduced to address issues related to inconsistent and inaccurate fuel quantity indications, which were found to be due to hardware contacting fuel probes at various locations. The policy objective is to mandate inspections and modifications to prevent such issues, thereby enhancing the safety of flights. The regulation requires compliance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1024 Revision 1 or AOT 28/89/03, with a specific deadline for compliance set prior to 31 August 1990.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's regulation under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to specific models of the A320 series, namely the A320-111, A320-211, and A320-231. The directive is designed to address issues related to inconsistent and inaccurate fuel quantity indications, which were traced to hardware making contact with fuel probes at various locations. The directive requires that action be taken in accordance with Airbus Technical Order 28/89/03 or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1024 Revision 1, as referenced in DGAC AD 90-017-005(b). Compliance with this directive is mandatory for aircraft manufactured prior to 31 August 1990, ensuring that inspections and necessary modifications are conducted to resolve the identified safety concerns. This regulation applies nationally, ensuring consistent application across all states and territories in Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the overarching framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/A320/9, mandate that Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, including models A320-111, A320-211, and A320-231, must comply with certain airworthiness directives related to fuel probes. Section 39 - 105 requires that action be taken in accordance with Airbus Technical Order 28/89/03 or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-28-1024 Revision 1 if not already completed. This requirement is underpinned by the French civil aviation authority's directive, DGAC AD 90-017-005(b), and aims to address issues of inconsistent and inaccurate fuel quantity indications caused by hardware contacting fuel probes at various locations. The obligations imposed by this directive necessitate that the specified Airbus models undergo an inspection and necessary modifications to ensure compliance with the stipulated airworthiness standards. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that these actions are carried out by a certified entity to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Additionally, these modifications must be completed before the specified compliance date of 31 August 1990 to meet regulatory requirements and ensure the safe operation of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives could result in significant consequences. If an operator fails to adhere to the requirements outlined in AD/A320/9, it may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The potential penalties for non-compliance can include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the specific circumstances of each case, but they are designed to ensure that all operators maintain the highest safety standards in accordance with the regulations.