Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14191 · Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and Model A320-200 Series Airplanes
Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and Model A320-200 Series Airplanes
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand airborne ground check module (AGCM) having part number 769104, 769105, or 769106 installed; except those airplanes on which Airbus Modification 27189 has been done in production and on which Airbus Modification 28413 has not been done.
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of unsuccessful in-flight ram air turbine (RAT) tests during which a deployed RAT failed to pressurize the blue hydraulic circuit of the RAT system. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the RAT system during an in-flight emergency, which could lead to loss of hydraulic and electrical power and reduced controllability of the airplane.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes. This AD requires post-maintenance bleeding of accumulated air from, or ground functional testing of, the ram air turbine (RAT) system; modifying and reidentifying the airborne ground check module of the RAT system; and replacing the RAT reducer assembly if applicable. This AD is prompted by reports of unsuccessful in-flight RAT tests during which a deployed RAT failed to pressurize the blue hydraulic circuit of the RAT system. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the RAT during an in-flight emergency, which could lead to loss of hydraulic and electrical power and reduced controllability of the airplane.
(f) For airplanes on which maintenance has been performed on the blue hydraulic circuit as of the effective date of this AD: Within 3 days or 20 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, bleed accumulated air from, or perform a ground functional test of, the RAT system; by accomplishing all the actions specified in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-29A1112, Revision 01, dated April 8, 2004. Thereafter, bleed the blue hydraulic circuit as specified in the AOT within 3 days or 20 flight hours after performing any maintenance that would normally require bleeding of the blue hydraulic circuit, (as instructed by the related aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) procedure).
(g) For airplanes on which maintenance has not been performed on the blue hydraulic circuit as of the effective date of this AD: Within 3 days or 20 flight hours after performing any maintenance that would normally require bleeding of the blue hydraulic circuit (as instructed by the related AMM procedure), bleed the blue hydraulic circuit by accomplishing all the actions specified in Airbus AOT A320-29A1112, Revision 01, dated April 8, 2004.
(h) Within 35 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the AGCM with a modified and reidentified AGCM; and replace the reducer with a new reducer if applicable; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1111, dated June 29, 2004. Replacing the AGCM, and the reducer if applicable, ends the actions required by paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1111 refers to Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS13GCM-29-5, dated June 29, 2004, as an additional source of service information for modifying and reidentifying the AGCM.
(i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-150, dated September 1, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
(k) You must use All Operators Telex (Airbus) A320-29A1112, Revision 01, dated April 8, 2004; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1111, dated June 29, 2004; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
