Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19662 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-23-11. Comply with the one in force.
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 (MSNs).
(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, and -233 airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-11-11 and AD 2017-01-11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. AD 2007-11-11 required an inspection to determine the serial number of both main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the affected MLG sliding tubes and corrective actions if necessary, and eventual replacement of both MLG shock absorbers. AD 2017-01-11 required identification of the part number and serial number of the MLG sliding tubes; inspection of affected chromium plates and sliding tube axles for damage; and replacement of the sliding tube if necessary. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2007-11-11 and AD 2017-01-11. This AD also requires repetitive inspections of affected MLG sliding tubes for cracking, replacement of cracked MLG sliding tubes, and eventual replacement of each affected MLG sliding tube. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the MLG sliding tubes due to certain manufacturing defects that might not be identified using the current on-wing scheduled inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2007-11-11, with updated references to service information and specific delegation approval language. Within 41 months after June 29, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-11-11), replace all MLG shock absorbers equipped with MLG sliding tubes having serial numbers listed in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-32A1273, Revision 01, dated May 6, 2004; or the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, including Appendix 01, dated May 26, 2005; with new or serviceable MLG shock absorbers equipped with MLG sliding tubes having serial numbers not listed in Airbus AOT A320-32A1273, Revision 01, dated May 6, 2004; or the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, including Appendix 01, dated May 26, 2005; using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. As of June 29, 2007, only Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, including Appendix 01, dated May 26, 2005, may be used to determine the affected MLG sliding tubes.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance on the replacement specified in paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 32-11-13, page block 401.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes. Within three months after February 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-01-11): Do an inspection to identify the part number and serial number of the MLG sliding tubes installed on the airplane. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number and serial number of the MLG sliding tubes can be conclusively determined from that review.
This paragraph restates the identification specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes. An airplane with a MSN not listed in figure 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD is not affected by the requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD, provided it can be determined that no MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD has been installed on that airplane since first flight of the airplane.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes. For each MLG sliding tube identified as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, having a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD: Within 3 months after February 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-01-11) inspect affected MLG axles and brake flanges by doing a detailed visual inspection of the chromium plates for damage, and a Barkhausen noise inspection of the MLG sliding tube axles for damage, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1416, including Appendix 01, dated March 10, 2014. For Model A318 series airplanes, use the procedures specified for Model A319 series airplanes in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1416, including Appendix 01, dated March 10, 2014.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes. If, during any inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD, any damage is detected: Before further flight, replace the MLG sliding tube with a serviceable MLG sliding tube, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1416, including Appendix 01, dated March 10, 2014. For Model A318 series airplanes, use the procedures specified for Model A319 series airplanes in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1416, including Appendix 01, dated March 10, 2014.
This paragraph restates the definition specified in paragraph (k) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes. For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this AD, a serviceable MLG sliding tube is defined as an MLG sliding tube that meets the criterion in either paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD.
(1) An MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number not listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD.
(2) An MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD that has passed the inspections required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2017-01-11, with no changes.
(1) For airplanes that have an MLG sliding tube installed that has a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD: After an airplane is returned to service following accomplishment of the actions required by paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) of this AD, no person may install on any airplane an MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD, unless that MLG sliding tube has passed the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that, as of February 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-01-11), do not have an MLG sliding tube installed that has a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD: No person may install, on any airplane, an MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number listed in table 1 to paragraphs (i), (j), (l)(1), (l)(2), (m)(1), and (m)(2) of this AD unless that MLG sliding tube has passed the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
For the purpose of paragraphs (o), (p), (q), (r), and (s) of this AD the following definitions apply.
(1) Affected MLG shock absorber: An MLG shock absorber having a part number and serial number as identified in Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 200-32-286, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2008, for Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes; and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 201-32-43, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2008, for Model A321 series airplanes.
(2) Affected MLG sliding tube: An MLG sliding tube having a part number and serial number as identified in Appendix B of Safran Service Bulletin 200-32-321, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2017, for Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes; or Safran Service Bulletin 201-32-68, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2017, for Model A321 series airplanes, except those parts that passed an inspection as specified in Safran Service Bulletin 200-32-321; or Safran Service Bulletin 201-32-68; as applicable; and those parts that, after that inspection, have been repaired, using instructions approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Serviceable MLG sliding tube: An MLG sliding tube that is not affected, or an affected MLG sliding tube, that has not exceeded 10,000 flight cycle since first installation on an airplane, or an affected MLG sliding tube that, within the last 5,000 flight cycles before installation on an airplane, passed an inspection specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1441.
At the compliance time specified in figure 2 to paragraph (o) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight cycles: Do a detailed inspection of each affected MLG sliding tube, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1441, Revision 01, dated December 14, 2017.
Note 2 to paragraph (o): If no reliable data regarding the number of flight cycles accumulated by the MLG sliding tube are available, operators may refer to the guidance specified in Chapter 5.2, “Traceability”, of Section 1, of Part 1 of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section.
(1) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (o) of this AD, any crack is detected on an MLG sliding tube: Before further flight, replace that MLG sliding tube with a serviceable MLG sliding tube, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1441, Revision 01, dated December 14, 2017.
(2) Replacement of an MLG on an airplane with an MLG having a serviceable MLG sliding tube installed is an acceptable method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (p)(1) of this AD for that airplane.
(1) Within 10 years after the effective date of this AD: Replace each affected MLG sliding tube with an MLG sliding tube that is not affected. Installation of an MLG sliding tube that is not affected on an airplane constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (o) of this AD for that airplane.
(2) Replacement of an MLG on an airplane with an MLG that does not have an affected MLG sliding tube installed is an acceptable method to comply with the requirement of paragraph (q)(1) of this AD for that airplane.
(1) As of the effective date of this AD no person may install on any airplane an affected MLG shock absorber assembly containing a discrepant MLG sliding tube part number.
(2) Do not install an affected MLG sliding tube on any airplane as specified in paragraph (r)(2)(i) or (r)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) For an airplane with an affected MLG sliding tube installed as of the effective date of this AD: After replacement of each affected MLG sliding tube as required by paragraph (q) of this AD.
(ii) For an airplane that does not have an affected MLG sliding tube installed as of the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
An airplane on which Airbus Modification 161202 or Modification 161346 has been installed in production is not affected by the requirements of paragraphs (g), (h), (j), (o), and (q), of this AD, provided it has been verified that no affected MLG sliding tube is installed on that airplane.
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.
