AD/A320/91 - Frames 43 and 44 Pressure Floor Connection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses the safety and maintenance requirements for civil aircraft operations in Australia. One of the instruments under this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/A320/91, which pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the pressure floor connection at frames 43 and 44. This directive was introduced in response to findings from fatigue tests where bolts at frame 43 sheared off, leading to subsequent cracking, thereby necessitating specific inspection and maintenance protocols to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft. The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the overarching objective of ensuring that all civil aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on Airworthiness Directives for these aircraft models. The regulation applies to specific serial numbers of the A320 model, excluding those with Modification 20941 or Service Bulletin A320-53-1015 incorporated. The directive mandates inspections of the bolts and fittings at frames 43 and 44, with corrective actions to be taken if any cracks or missing bolts are found, following the guidelines in the specified Airbus service bulletins. Compliance with this directive is required before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flights, at the specified intervals in the requirement documents, and at intervals not exceeding 5,100 flights after the initial inspection. This directive became effective on 29 January 1998, following a full-scale fatigue test where a bolt at frame 43 failed, leading to further structural concerns.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines critical safety requirements for certain Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This particular directive (AD/A320/91) pertains to frames 43 and 44 pressure floor connections and applies to models A320 with certain manufacturing serial numbers (MSNs) without specific modifications incorporated. The directive mandates that these aeroplanes undergo specific inspections and corrective actions to ensure airworthiness. Requirements of the directive include inspecting the bolts and fittings at frames 43 and 44, as detailed in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1083 revision 2. If any bolts are found to be cracked, missing, or if any fittings are cracked, further inspection programs and corrective actions must be applied as specified in Service Bulletins A320-53-1083 revision 2 and A320-53-1015. If no cracks are detected during the initial inspection, the inspection must be repeated according to the directive's initial requirement. Compliance with this directive is critical before the aeroplane accumulates 20,000 flights, and it must adhere to the specified thresholds and intervals outlined in the related documents. Subsequent inspections should occur at intervals not exceeding 5,100 flights after the initial inspection. Entities governed by this directive must ensure their aircraft comply with these inspection and corrective action protocols. This involves scheduling and conducting thorough inspections by qualified personnel, documenting findings, and implementing necessary repairs or modifications. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious safety implications and non-compliance with regulatory standards. The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that all inspections and corrective actions are performed by authorised personnel and that records are kept in accordance with the directive's requirements. Additionally, operators must ensure that any modifications or repairs are completed in a manner that maintains or restores the aircraft to an airworthy condition. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, sanctions, or grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, non-compliance may result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment for responsible individuals. The directive underscores the importance of stringent compliance to maintain safety standards in civil aviation.