AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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/A330/19 Thrust Reverser - Directional Pilot Valve
Pressure Test/Replacement
8/2003
Applicability: Airbus A330 series Aeroplanes with General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1 series turbofan engines installed.
Requirement: 1. In accordance with paragraph 2.B. and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Middle River Aircraft Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 78A5053 dated 30 October 2001, carry out a Directional Pilot Valve (DPV) assembly pressure test for leakage, and;
- as necessary, replace the DPV assembly with a serviceable assembly and;
b. successfully accomplish a systems test of the thrust reverser; OR
2. In accordance with paragraph 2.B. and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Middle River Aircraft Systems ASB 78A5053 dated 30 October 2001, replace the DPV assembly with a serviceable assembly and successfully accomplish a systems test of the thrust reverser; OR
3. In accordance with paragraph 2.B. and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Middle River Aircraft Systems ASB 78A5053 dated 30 October 2001, deactivate the thrust reverser; and
- operate the aeroplane in accordance with the conditions and limitations of the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) applicable to the registration mark of the aeroplane; and
- replace the DPV assembly with a serviceable assembly and successfully accomplish a systems test of the thrust reverser.
4. Repeat Requirements 1, or 2, or 3 of this Directive.
Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes
AD/A330/19 (continued)
Definition of a Serviceable DPV Assembly
For the purpose of this Directive, a serviceable DPV assembly is an assembly that has either accumulated zero time-since-new (TSN), or has accumulated zero time- in- service (TIS) after having passed the tests contained in the Middle River Aircraft Systems Component Maintenance Manual GEK 85007 (78-31-51), Directional Pilot Solenoid Valve, Page Block 101, Testing and Trouble Shooting, or equivalent approved maintenance date, or has been successfully leak tested in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Middle River Aircraft Systems ASB 78A5053 dated 30 October 2001.
Note: FAA AD 2002-06-07 Amdt 39-12684 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1, 1(a)&(b) or 2: Prior to exceeding 7,000 flight hours’ time-since- new (TSN) or 1,000 flight hours’ time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 3, excluding 3(a)&(b): Prior to exceeding 7,000 flight hours’ time- since-new (TSN) or 1,000 flight hours’ time- in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 3(a): Prior to further flight after deactivation of the thrust reverser in accordance with Requirement 3.
For Requirement 3(b): Within 10 days after deactivation of the thrust reverser in accordance with Requirement 3.
For Requirement 4: At intervals of not exceeding 7,000 flight hours since the last check or replacement of the DPV assembly.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 August 2003.
Background: This AD is prompted by a review of thrust reverser safety analyses following a report of inadvertent thrust reverser deployment on another make and model engine. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent in- flight thrust reverser deployment.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 July 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive AD/A330/19 in 2003, following safety analyses prompted by an incident involving inadvertent thrust reverser deployment. This legislative instrument aims to prevent such incidents by mandating specific actions for Airbus A330 series aeroplanes equipped with General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1 series turbofan engines. The directive requires pressure testing or replacement of the Directional Pilot Valve (DPV) assembly, successful systems testing of the thrust reverser, or deactivation of the thrust reverser and operation under specified conditions. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specific flight hour limits post the directive's effective date. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by mitigating the risk of inadvertent thrust reverser deployment during flight.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Airbus A330 series aeroplanes equipped with General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1 series turbofan engines. This directive mandates certain actions to rectify unsafe conditions associated with the thrust reverser's Directional Pilot Valve (DPV). The directive is applicable to all Airbus A330 series aeroplanes with the specified engines and requires compliance with the specified conditions to ensure airworthiness. The actions required include a pressure test for leakage of the DPV assembly, replacement if necessary, and a systems test of the thrust reverser. Additionally, there are provisions for deactivating the thrust reverser and operating the aeroplane under certain conditions before the DPV assembly replacement. The compliance timeline is set based on the aeroplane's flight hours since new or in service, and the directive stipulates intervals for repeating the required actions. The directive is effective from 7 August 2003 and is applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text of the directive, although compliance is contingent on the aeroplane meeting specific flight hour criteria.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/19, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies to Airbus A330 series aeroplanes equipped with General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1 series turbofan engines (section 1). The directive mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft's thrust reverser system. The requirement section (section 2) outlines three primary actions: conducting a Directional Pilot Valve (DPV) assembly pressure test and, if necessary, replacing the DPV assembly and successfully completing a systems test of the thrust reverser; replacing the DPV assembly and successfully completing a systems test of the thrust reverser; or deactivating the thrust reverser and operating the aeroplane in accordance with the applicable Minimum Equipment List (MEL), followed by replacing the DPV assembly and successfully completing a systems test of the thrust reverser. These actions must be repeated at specified intervals to maintain airworthiness (section 2). The directive also provides a definition of a serviceable DPV assembly, which must have accumulated zero time-since-new (TSN) or zero time-in-service (TIS) after passing specific tests, or be successfully leak tested (section 3).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Operators of Airbus A330 series aeroplanes with GE CF6-80E1 series turbofan engines must ensure that the specified actions are carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in the directive. This includes conducting the required pressure tests and system tests, replacing the DPV assembly as necessary, and adhering to the MEL conditions if the thrust reverser is deactivated. The directive also mandates that these actions be completed within the specified timeframes to maintain compliance with the AD (section 4). Operators must ensure that all maintenance and operational procedures are performed by qualified personnel following the detailed instructions in the referenced Middle River Aircraft Systems Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 78A5053 dated 30 October 2001.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences. The AD does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, but breaches of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 can lead to significant consequences. Under section 39.1 (2) of the CASR, the delegate has the authority to impose penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for non-compliance with ADs. The severity of penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the breach, with maximum penalties potentially including substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals, as well as penalties for corporations. The enforcement of these penalties is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to take action against non-compliant operators to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.