AD/A320/167 Airborne Ground Check Module (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A320/167 Airborne Ground Check Module 4/2005

Applicability:

AIRBUS A320 aeroplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand Airborne Ground Check Module (AGCM) Part Number (P/N) 769104, 769105 or 769106, except those aeroplanes which have incorporated AIRBUS modification 27189 during production without AIRBUS modification 28413.

Requirement:

1.    Action in accordance with paragraph 4.1 and 4.2 of AIRBUS All Operator Telex (AOT) A320-29A1112 Rev 1 or later DGAC approved revisions.

2.    Modify the AGCM in accordance with AIRBUS Service Bulletin A320-29-1111 or later DGAC approved revisions.

Incorporation of the modification detailed in Requirement 2 of this Directive provides terminating action for this Directive.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2004-150(B) EASA approval No 2004-9025 dated August 24 2004 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1:

(a)   For aeroplanes having completed a maintenance action carried out on the blue hydraulic system since the application of the CMR “one star” maintenance task “Operational check of RAT manual deployment and functional check of RAT using ground test unit followed by check of filter indicator” (MRB Report task 291000-7), and not having carried out the actions defined in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.1 of AIRBUS AOT A320-29A1112 Revision 1 or later DGAC approved revisions:

Within 3 days or 20 flight hours after the effective date of this Directive.

(b)   For  aeroplanes that have any maintenance on the blue hydraulic system after the effective date of this Directive:

Before further flight.

For Requirement 2:  Before 31 July 2007.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 April 2005.

Background:

Several operators have reported unsuccessful in-flight RAT tests during which a deployed RAT did not pressurise the blue hydraulic system.  Investigations showed that air trapped in the RAT can lead to RAT pump cavitations.  Modification of the RAT prevents the trapping of air.  This Directive mandates certain actions following any maintnece action on the blue hydraulic system until such time as the AGCM is modified.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2 March 2005