Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19488 · Flight controls
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, and A318-122 airplanes; Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes; Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, A320- 212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing assembly hardware on the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA). This AD requires repetitive inspections and checks of the lower and upper THSA attachments and applicable related investigative and corrective actions; a one-time inspection of the THSA lower attachment and replacement as applicable; and, for certain airplanes, activation of the electrical load sensing device (ELSD) and concurrent modifications. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Before exceeding 20 months since airplane first flight, or since airplane first flight following last THSA replacement, or within 20 months after the last inspection of the lower THSA attachment as specified in the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 02 up to Revision 09, whichever occurs latest, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD concurrently, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 14, dated January 16, 2018. Repeat the actions thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20 months.
(1) Check the clearance between the secondary nut trunnions and the junction plates at the lower THSA attachment.
(2) Do a general visual inspection of the lower THSA attachment for correct installation of attachment parts.
(3) Do a general visual inspection of the THSA ball screw for dents.
Before exceeding 10 months since airplane first flight, or since airplane first flight following last THSA replacement, or within 10 months after the last inspection of the upper THSA attachment as specified in the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 02 up to Revision 09, whichever occurs latest, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD concurrently, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 14, dated January 16, 2018. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 months.
(1) Do a general visual inspection of the upper THSA attachment for correct installation, cracks, damage, and metallic particles.
(2) Do a general visual inspection of the upper THSA attachment for correct installation of attachment parts.
If, during any action required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected (e.g., any installation deviation, cracking, damage, metallic particles, or dent is found), before further flight, accomplish all applicable related investigative and corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 14, dated January 16, 2018; except as required by paragraph (o)(1) of this AD.
In case of any findings during any action required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, report the inspection results to Airbus SAS using the applicable “Inspection Reporting Sheet” of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 14, dated January 16, 2018, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD. If operators have reported findings as part of obtaining any corrective actions approved by the EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA), operators are not required to report those findings as specified in this paragraph.
(1) If the inspection or check was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection or check was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
For airplanes on which the THSA has been replaced or reinstalled since the date of issuance of the original certificate of airworthiness, or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a detailed inspection of the THSA lower attachment gap clearances, in accordance with paragraphs 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A27N010-17, Revision 01, dated October 17, 2017, including AOT Appendix_A27N010-17. If the measured gap is less than 0.5 mm, before further flight, replace the THSA, including doing an inspection of the THSA parts to confirm the bushing is missing and applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A27N010-17, Revision 01, dated October 17, 2017, including AOT Appendix_A27N010-17; and United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Aerospace Systems Repair Instructions RF-DSC-1361-17, Version 00, including Appendix A, dated May 24, 2017, as applicable, except as required by paragraph (o)(2) of this AD.
For the purpose of this AD: Group 1 airplanes are those that, on the effective date of this AD, do not have the electrical load sensing device (ELSD) activated. Group 2 airplanes are those that, on the effective date of this AD, have the ELSD activated.
For Group 1 airplanes (see paragraph (l) of this AD): Do the actions specified in paragraphs (m)(1) and (m)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, activate the ELSD of the THSA on the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1248, Revision 01, dated April 16, 2018.
(2) Concurrently with or before the activation of the ELSD required by paragraph (m)(1) of this AD, modify the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1245, Revision 00, dated March 6, 2017; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1246, Revision 01, dated November 4, 2016; as applicable.
For an airplane equipped with a THSA having a part number listed in figure 1 to paragraphs (n), (p), and (q) of this AD: Concurrently with or before the activation required by paragraph (m)(1) of this AD, modify the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1247, Revision 00, dated March 6, 2017.
(1) Where Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1164, Revision 14, dated January 16, 2018, specifies to contact Airbus SAS for appropriate action, and specifies that action as “RC” (Required for Compliance): Before further flight, accomplish corrective actions in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (v)(2) of this AD.
(2) Where Airbus AOT A27N010-17, Revision 01, dated October 17, 2017, specifies to contact Airbus SAS for appropriate action: Before further flight, accomplish corrective actions in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (v)(2) of this AD.
Do not install on any airplane a THSA with a part number listed in figure 1 to paragraphs (n), (p), and (q) of this AD and do not deactivate the ELSD at the times specified in paragraph (p)(1) or (p)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) Group 1 airplanes (see paragraph (l) of this AD): After modification of the airplane as required by paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.
(2) Group 2 airplanes (see paragraph (l) of this AD): From the effective date of this AD.
An airplane on which Airbus SAS Modification 155955 has been embodied in production is considered compliant with paragraphs (m)(1), (m)(2), and (n) of this AD, provided that it is determined that no THSA with a part number listed in figure 1 to paragraphs (n), (p), and (q) of this AD is installed on that airplane, and that the ELSD remains activated. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable to make this determination, provided those records can be relied upon for that purpose.
The inspection required by paragraph (k) of this AD is not required for airplanes on which the THSA has been installed, as specified in the instructions of Airbus A320 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) 27-44-51-400-001, dated May 2017, or subsequent.
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.
