AD 2014-03-08 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

Models named: A318-111, -112, -121, -122, A319-111, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -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.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Within 8,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 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. 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. (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 paragraph (g) 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 paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 8,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, determine the part number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity sensor. Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD—Interconnecting Strut Part Numbers Interconnecting strut part numbers D5757030500000 D5757030500100 D5757030500200 D5757030500600 D5757030500800 D5757030501000 D5757030501200 D5757032200000 (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. For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable interconnecting strut is a unit which has been determined to be in compliance with the following requirements 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 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 01, dated October 10, 2011.

This AD was prompted by a report that an investigation showed that when a certain combination of a target/proximity sensor serial number 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 detect and correct a latent failure of the flap down drive disconnection due to an already-failed interconnecting strut sensor, which could result in asymmetric flap panel movement and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

None.