Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19111 · Flight controls
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-08-01, which applied to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2014-08-01 required an inspection for part numbers of the interconnecting struts and, for affected interconnecting struts, identification of the part and serial numbers of the associated target and proximity sensors and replacement or re-identification of the flap interconnecting strut if necessary. This AD continues to require an inspection to verify the interconnecting strut part number. This AD also provides a new compliance time and an additional inspection for previously inspected airplanes. This AD was prompted by an investigation that showed that when a certain combination of target/ proximity sensor serial numbers is installed on a flap interconnecting strut, a "target FAR" signal cannot be detected when reaching the mechanical end stop of the interconnecting strut. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2014-08-01, with revised service information. Within 8,000 flight hours after March 26, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-08, Amendment 39-17745 (79 FR 9398, February 19, 2014) (“AD 2014-03-08”)), inspect to determine the part number of the interconnecting struts installed on both the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wings of the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015. A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable for determining the part number of the installed interconnecting struts, in lieu of the inspection, if the part number of the installed interconnecting struts, and the part number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity sensor, can be conclusively determined from that review. Accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) Airplanes on which Airbus Modification 27956 has been embodied in production, and on which no interconnecting strut has been replaced with a strut having a part number specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD since the airplane's first flight: No further work is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any interconnecting strut is installed with a part number specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD: Within 8,000 flight hours after March 26, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-08), determine the part number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity sensor.
(i) For airplanes having conditions specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(A), (g)(2)(i)(B), (g)(2)(i)(C), and (g)(2)(i)(D) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the interconnecting strut with a serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015. For the purposes of paragraph (g) of this AD, a serviceable interconnecting strut is a unit that has been determined to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(A) A target part number (P/N) ABS0121-13 or P/N 8-536-01; and
(B) A target serial number lower than 1600, or a target serial number that is unreadable; and
(C) A proximity sensor having P/N ABS0121-31 or P/N 8-372-04; and
(D) A proximity sensor having a serial number between C59198 and C59435, or a serial number (S/N) C500000 or higher.
(ii) For a target having S/N 1600 or higher and target P/N ABS0121-13 or P/N 8-536-01: Within 8,000 flight hours after March 26, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-08), re-identify the interconnecting strut, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2014-08-01, with no changes. As of March 26, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-08), no person may install an interconnecting strut with a part number specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, on any airplane, except for parts identified in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, provided that the actions in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) are done. As of the effective date of this AD, comply with the requirements of paragraph (l) of this AD in lieu of the requirements of this paragraph.
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. In lieu of doing the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD, a review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable for determining the part number of the installed interconnecting struts and the part number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity sensor, if the part number and serial numbers can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) Inspect to determine the part number of the interconnecting struts installed on both the LH and RH wings on the airplane.
(2) If an interconnecting strut is installed with a part number specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (i)(2), (k), and (l) of this AD, identify the part number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity sensor; and for the target and proximity sensor part number and serial number combination specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, within the compliance times specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD for that interconnecting strut.
(1) If the target serial number is lower than 1600 or is unreadable, and the proximity sensor part number is P/N ABS0121-31 or P/N 8-372-04 with a serial number between S/N C59198 and C59435, or S/N C500000 or higher: Before further flight, do the actions specified by paragraph (j)(1)(i) or (j)(1)(ii) of this AD. For the purposes of paragraph (j) of this AD, a serviceable interconnecting strut is a unit that has been determined to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD.
(i) Replace the interconnecting strut with a serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
(ii) Do a general visual inspection of the flap down drive to detect discrepancies, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
(A) If no discrepancy is found, within 50 flight cycles after the inspection, replace the interconnecting strut with a serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
(B) If any discrepancy is found, before further flight, replace the interconnecting strut with a serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
(2) If the target serial number is 1600 or higher (with any proximity sensor part number and serial number): Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, re-identify the interconnecting strut, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015.
(1) Airplanes on which Airbus Modification 27956 has been embodied in production, and on which no interconnecting strut with a part number identified in figure 2 to paragraphs (i)(2), (k), and (l) of this AD has been installed since the airplane's first flight, are not affected by the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD, except for those manufacturer serial numbers specified in figure 3 to paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. Airplanes having manufacturer serial numbers specified in figure 3 to paragraph (k)(1) of this AD are affected by the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD.
(2) For an airplane that has already been inspected before the effective date of this AD as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, dated January 28, 2011; or Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011: Within the compliance time specified in paragraph (i) of this AD, accomplish the additional work specified in and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 02, dated November 2, 2015, unless it is determined that no interconnecting strut with a part number specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (i)(2), (k), and (l) of this AD is installed on that airplane. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable to make this determination, provided the part number can be conclusively identified from that review.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an interconnecting strut with a part number specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (i)(2), (k), and (l) of this AD, unless it is in compliance with the requirements of this AD.
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.
