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/A320/95 Avionics Rack Protection 9/98
Applicability: All models A320, A321, and A319 series aircraft, without Airbus Industrie Modification 25995 or Service Bulletin A320-25-1186 incorporated.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-25-1186.
Note: DGAC AD 98-178-115(B) refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before 16 May 2000.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 13 August 1998.
Background: The manufacturer received several reports of water ingress into the avionics bay. In some cases this has led to damage of computer electrical connectors. An extension of the existing water protection devices is required.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B01984, address issues of airworthiness for specific aircraft models, including Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations aim to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation through strict compliance with airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/A320/95, pertains to avionics rack protection for these aircraft models, specifically those not incorporating Airbus Industrie Modification 25995 or Service Bulletin A320-25-1186. The directive requires action in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to address reports of water ingress into the avionics bay, which has caused damage to computer electrical connectors. The policy objective is to mitigate these risks by extending the existing water protection devices, ensuring compliance by a specified deadline.
This airworthiness directive became effective on 13 August 1998, and compliance was required before 16 May 2000 for all applicable aircraft. The directive references DGAC AD 98-178-115(B), indicating alignment with international safety standards. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety, ensuring that all commercial aircraft meet the necessary requirements for safe operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes that do not have Airbus Industrie Modification 25995 or Service Bulletin A320-25-1186 incorporated. This regulation is intended to ensure that these aircraft maintain the required airworthiness standards by addressing water ingress into the avionics bay, which can potentially cause damage to computer electrical connectors. Compliance with the directive, which mandates action in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-25-1186, is mandatory unless the required modifications have already been implemented. The directive became effective on 13 August 1998, with a compliance deadline of 16 May 2000 for any aircraft that had not yet complied. The regulation is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by CASA to ensure adherence to the safety standards set forth in the directive.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outline a significant airworthiness directive (AD/A320/95) concerning Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. The directive focuses on avionics rack protection, mandating action in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-25-1186 (section 1). This action is necessary for all models A320, A321, and A319 series aircraft that do not have Airbus Industrie Modification 25995 or Service Bulletin A320-25-1186 already incorporated (section 2). The directive is applicable to ensure compliance by 16 May 2000, with the directive becoming effective from 13 August 1998 (section 3).
The primary obligation under this directive is for operators of A319, A320, and A321 series aircraft to implement the instructions outlined in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-25-1186. This involves enhancing the existing water protection devices to prevent water ingress into the avionics bay, which has been reported to cause damage to computer electrical connectors (section 4). Operators must ensure that any required modifications are completed and certified as compliant before the specified deadline (section 5).
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the directive's requirements. While the exact penalties are not specified in the text, non-compliance can lead to enforcement measures, including potential grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other regulatory actions. It is crucial for operators to take prompt and appropriate action to avoid these repercussions (section 6).