Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17702 · Stabilizers
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any category, listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, all serial numbers.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain maintenance activities, such as repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, might cause the weight of an elevator to exceed the certified limits. This AD requires checking the weight of certain elevators, and corrective action if necessary; and re-identifying the elevators. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct elevators that exceed the certified weight limits, which could result in reduced control of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD: Do a weight check on the elevators identified in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. Do the weight check in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, except as specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
| Part name | P/N (first 12 digits only) |
|---|---|
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001000 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001002 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001004 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001008 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001010 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280001012 |
| Left Hand Elevator | D55280002000 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001001 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001003 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001005 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001009 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001011 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280001013 |
| Right Hand Elevator | D55280002001 |
(1) A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the weight check required by the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided the elevator weight can be conclusively determined from that review.
(2) The use of elevator weight data from production, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, is acceptable in lieu of the weight check required by the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that the affected elevator has not been subjected to any maintenance action that could have modified the weight.
(3) Airplanes on which Airbus Modification 150390 has been embodied in production are not required to do the actions specified in the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that no elevator having a part number specified in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been installed on that airplane since the airplane's first flight.
(1) For an elevator for which, as of the effective date of this AD, the records show that no maintenance actions have been performed since first installation of the elevator on an airplane, which might have increased its weight: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For elevators other than those identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD.
If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, exceeds the weight limit specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Within the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, do the applicable corrective actions followed by a new weight check of the elevator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011. If the elevator weight, determined as required by the new weight check, exceeds the weight limit specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Before further flight with an elevator that exceeds the weight limits established in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, repair the elevator 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).
If the elevator weight, determined by the weight check specified in paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD, does not exceed the weight limit specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, record the elevator weight and re-identify the elevator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1042, Revision 01, dated June 29, 2012.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
