AD 2010-18-07

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) elevators to determine if the first twelve digits of the part number on the elevator are identified in Table 1 or Table 2 of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55A1040, dated January 11, 2010; and do the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the elevators can be conclusively identified from that review.

(1) If any part number is identified in Table 1 of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do the applicable determination specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD and compare it to the threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-1 or 552007-01-3, which is defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009.

(i) For elevators on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1024 has been done: If adequate records exist, determine the elapsed (calendar) time since the date of the first flight of the first airplane on which the elevator is installed after the actions in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1024 were done on the elevator.

(ii) For elevators on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1024 has not been done: If adequate records exist, determine the elapsed (calendar) time since the date of the first flight of the first airplane on which the elevator is installed.

(2) If any part number is identified in Table 2 of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, if adequate records exist, determine the elapsed (calendar) time since the date of the first flight of the first airplane on which the elevator is installed and compare it to the threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-2 or 552007-01-4, which is defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009.

(h) If the elapsed time, determined as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, has exceeded the ALI threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-1 or 552007-01-3; or if unable to determine the elapsed time: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a special detailed inspection for damage, including cracking, of the top and bottom skin panels of the affected elevators, in accordance with Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-1 or 552007-01-3, which is defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009. If any damage or cracking is found, before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

(i) If the elapsed time, determined as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, has not exceeded the ALI threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-1 or 552007-01-3: Before reaching that threshold, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; perform a special detailed inspection for damage, including cracking, of the top and bottom skin panels of the affected elevators in accordance with Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-1 or 552007-01-3, which is defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009. If any damage or cracking is found before further flight repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, or EASA (or its delegated agent).

(j) If the elapsed time, determined as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, has exceeded the ALI threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-2 or 552007-01-4; or if unable to determine the elapsed time: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a special detailed inspection for damage, including cracking, of the top and bottom skin panels of the affected elevators, in accordance with Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-2 or 552007-01-4, which is defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009. If any damage or cracking is found before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, or the EASA (or its delegated agent).

(k) If the elapsed time, determined as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD has not exceeded the ALI threshold for the next due inspection, as specified in Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-2 or 552007-01-4: Before reaching that threshold, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; perform a special detailed inspection for damage, including cracking, of the top and bottom skin panels of the affected elevators, in accordance with Airbus ALI Task 552007-01-2 or 552007-01-4, which is defined in Airbus ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009. If any damage or cracking is found before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, or EASA (or its delegated agent).

(l) Accomplishment of the inspection and corrective actions required by paragraph (h), (i), (j), and (k) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections of Airbus ALI Task 552007, as defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09 dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009.

(m) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, any elevator having a part number identified in Table 1 or 2 of this AD, unless the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2), of this AD, as applicable, have been done and the inspections and corrective actions required by paragraphs (h), (i), (j), and (k) of this AD have been done.

(n) As of the effective date of this AD, track all interchangeable damage tolerant part movements between airplanes, in accordance with the specific statement in the Section Rules for Compliance Demonstration, either in paragraph F., “Transferable Parts,” of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 10, dated October 2009; or in sub-paragraph 10., “Interchangeable parts policy,” of Chapter 1.11, “General Rules,” of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009.

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information specifies to perform corrective actions using the instructions defined in Airbus ALI AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated November 2006; or Issue 10, dated October 2009; if any affected elevators are found, such corrective actions are not identified in the ALI tasks. Therefore, this AD requires that you perform all corrective actions before further flight using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).