Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19555 · Flight controls
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 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 A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N 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 SAS Model A318 series; Model A319 series; Model A320 series; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple angle of attack (AoA) probe blockages. This AD requires all elevator aileron computer (ELAC) units to be upgraded with new software, or replaced with upgraded units. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
For the purposes of this AD, ELAC units having a part number (P/N) listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD are hereafter referred to as “affected ELAC units” in this AD.
For airplanes with ELAC unit part numbers listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD: Within the applicable compliance times defined in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, upgrade each ELAC unit by uploading L99 software part number (P/N) 3945129111 or by replacing the existing ELAC unit with an ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217 unit in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1263, dated April 28, 2017, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1264, dated April 28, 2017, as applicable; or in accordance with modification instructions approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, or by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or by Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or in accordance with modification instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, provided the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD are met. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(1) Absence of electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning or maintenance message related to ELAC, before the data-loadable ELAC unit is removed and software is loaded.
(2) The data-loadable ELAC unit is removed as specified in Airbus SAS Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Task 27-93-34-000-001-A. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93-34-000-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
(3) The data-loadable ELAC unit is checked by two different means: by the line replaceable unit (LRU) identification and either the label call-up or the Alpha Call-up ELA 1 and ELA 2 (if available).
(4) After the software is loaded, the data-loadable ELAC unit is re-installed as specified in Airbus SAS AMM Task 27-93-34-400-001-A. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93-34-400-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD: Non-data-loadable ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217 units are fully interchangeable and mixable with data-loadable ELAC L99 P/N 3945129100 units with L99 software P/N 3945129111 loaded.
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.
