COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/15 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A330/15
Amdt 1
Flap Rotary Actuators 6/2004
Applicability: All Model A330 aircraft; except aircraft on which Airbus Modification 50044 has been incorporated in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 has been incorporated in service.
Requirement: Provided that the flap rotary actuators have never been removed from the aircraft; replace flap rotary actuators Types A and B part number 6975xxxxx, with flap rotary actuators part numbers 2240A0000-01 or 2240K0000-01 for Type A and part numbers 2241A0000-01 or 2241K0000-01 or 2241L0000-01 for Type B, respectively, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 Revision 2.
Note: DGAC AD F-2003-140 R1 refers.
Compliance: Within 18,000 flight cycles or 12 years after first flight of the aircraft, whichever occurs first.
This Amendment becomes effective on 10 June 2004.
Background: Flap rotary actuators Types A and B part number 6975xxxxx returned after service have exhibited spline corrosion. Improved corrosion protection of the splines was introduced without success on in-service actuators. The corrosion, which reduces fatigue strength, is due to loss of the surface protection, as a result of axial and radial movements between the end cover and the splines of the lever under operational loads.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which introduces newly certified rotary actuator part numbers.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 May 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This regulatory framework was designed to address the need for consistent and stringent safety standards across the aviation sector, thereby protecting the public and promoting confidence in air travel. The 1998 Regulations were introduced by the Australian Parliament to fill a critical gap in the existing regulatory structure, aiming to harmonise Australian aviation safety standards with international benchmarks and to provide a comprehensive safety oversight mechanism. The overarching policy objective of these Regulations is to enhance the safety of civil aviation operations through proactive regulation and oversight, ensuring that all aspects of aviation, from aircraft design and maintenance to operational procedures, adhere to the highest safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This particular AD, AD/A330/15 Amendment 1, applies to all Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes, excluding those aircraft that have already incorporated Airbus Modification 50044 in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 in service. The AD mandates that flap rotary actuators of certain part numbers must be replaced with newly specified part numbers to address issues of spline corrosion, which can compromise the fatigue strength of the actuators. The requirement to replace these parts must be carried out within 18,000 flight cycles or 12 years from the aircraft’s first flight, whichever comes first. The AD is effective from 10 June 2004 and has been issued to align with the revised DGAC AD F-2003-140 R1, which introduced newly certified rotary actuator part numbers.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/15 Amendment 1 issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) addresses specific safety concerns related to the flap rotary actuators of Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes. This AD applies to all Model A330 aircraft except those that have already incorporated Airbus Modification 50044 in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 in service. The requirement section mandates the replacement of flap rotary actuators Types A and B part number 6975xxxxx with new part numbers specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 Revision 2. This replacement must be carried out provided that the original flap rotary actuators have never been removed from the aircraft. The directive is effective within 18,000 flight cycles or 12 years after the first flight of the aircraft, whichever comes first. The compliance section stipulates that this amendment becomes effective on 10 June 2004.
The obligations imposed by this AD require the operators of applicable A330 aircraft to ensure that the specified replacement of flap rotary actuators is carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3106 Revision 2. Operators must verify that the replacement of the actuators is completed within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, operators must maintain accurate records of the replacement activities to demonstrate compliance with the AD. These obligations are critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Failure to comply with this AD can result in serious safety risks, including potential in-flight failures of the flap systems, which could lead to compromised control and safety during flight. The AD outlines specific penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, any person who contravenes an AD may be subject to enforcement actions. The maximum penalty for contravening an AD is significant, with fines of up to $275,750 for individuals and $1,378,750 for corporations, reflecting the serious nature of the safety directive. Additionally, civil and criminal liabilities may arise from any accidents or incidents that result from non-compliance with the AD.