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/A320/97
Amdt 1
Airborne Ground Check Module Modification 12/99
Applicability: All Airbus Industrie model A320 aircraft which do not have Modification 27728 or 27189 embodied.
Requirement: Modify the Airborne Ground Check Module (AGCM) in accordance with the instructions of AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin A320-29-1086.
Note: DGAC AD 98-537-124(B) R1 dated 22 September 1999 refers.
Compliance: Before 31 December 1999.
This Amendment becomes effective on 2 December 1999.
Background: During two in-flight events and during one functional check of the AGCM of the Ram Air Turbine, a blockage of the low pressure check valve was observed. Such a blockage could lead to the loss of the blue hydraulic system when using the Ram Air Turbine. This amendment introduces additional applicability criteria.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 25 March 1999.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety in Australia, providing a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety of aircraft and operations within Australian airspace. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and includes specific airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining and improving the safety of aircraft. One such directive is AD/A320/97 Amendment 1, which became effective on 2 December 1999. This amendment was introduced in response to incidents where blockages in the low-pressure check valve of the Airborne Ground Check Module (AGCM) of Airbus Industrie A320, A319, and A321 series aeroplanes were identified, potentially leading to the loss of the blue hydraulic system when using the Ram Air Turbine. The directive mandates modifications to the AGCM in line with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1086, with compliance required before 31 December 1999. The policy objective of this amendment is to mitigate risks associated with identified safety hazards by enforcing specific modifications to enhance aircraft reliability and safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Airbus Industrie model A320 aircraft that do not currently incorporate Modification 27728 or 27189. This regulation mandates that the Airborne Ground Check Module (AGCM) in these aircraft must be modified according to the instructions provided in AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin A320-29-1086. The amendment became effective on 2 December 1999, with compliance required before 31 December 1999. This directive is a response to observed blockages in the low pressure check valve of the AGCM during in-flight events and functional checks, which could potentially lead to a loss of the blue hydraulic system when using the Ram Air Turbine. The regulation ensures that all relevant aircraft are modified to prevent such occurrences, thereby enhancing flight safety. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is nationwide, as it is part of the Australian Civil Aviation Regulations which apply across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outline the requirements for airworthiness directives concerning the Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes. In this context, Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/97 Amendment 1 focuses on the Airborne Ground Check Module (AGCM) modification for certain Airbus Industrie aircraft models (Section 1). The directive applies to all Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft that do not currently incorporate Modification 27728 or 27189 (Section 2). The directive mandates that these aircraft must modify the Airborne Ground Check Module in accordance with the instructions provided in AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin A320-29-1086 (Section 3). A reference to a relevant French civil aviation authority directive, DGAC AD 98-537-124(B) R1 dated 22 September 1999, is also noted (Section 4). The compliance deadline for these modifications is set for 31 December 1999, with the amendment itself becoming effective on 2 December 1999 (Section 5).
Compliance with this directive involves several key obligations for the entities it governs. Operators of affected Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft must ensure that the specified modifications to the AGCM are completed by the stipulated deadline. This includes following the detailed instructions provided in the AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin A320-29-1086 to ensure the modifications are carried out correctly and effectively. Operators are also required to maintain records of the modifications and any associated documentation to demonstrate compliance with the directive. This documentation must be readily available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or other relevant authorities as required (Section 6).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential penalties for non-compliance, which can include both civil and criminal sanctions. Specifically, operators who fail to adhere to the mandated modifications and deadlines may face enforcement actions by CASA. These actions can range from fines and penalties to more severe measures such as grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity of the non-compliance and any resultant safety risks. It is important for operators to take these obligations seriously to avoid the potential legal and safety repercussions (Section 7).