Ad/A320/184 - Inboard Flap Trunnion (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/A320/184 Inboard Flap Trunnion 11/2005

Applicability:

AIRBUS A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, that has incorporated AIRBUS modification 26495 in production or AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A320-27-1117 in service.

Requirement:

1.    Unless already accomplished, inspect the trunnion and the sliding panel of inboard flaps in accordance with AIRBUS SB A320-57-1133 or later DGAC approved revision, and carry out any rectification of defects found as necessary.

2.    For each inspected flap, repeat the inspection detailed in Requirement 1 of this Directive.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2005-139 EASA Approval No 2005-6114 dated 27 July 2005 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 4,000 flight hours since new, or within 4,000 flight hours since incorporation of SB A320-27-1117 or within 600 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs later.

2.    At the intervals detailed in AIRBUS SB A320-57-1133 original issue or later DGAC approved revision.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 October 2005.

Background:

Some operators have reported inboard flap trunnion wear damage.  This is due to the movement of the sliding panel hook, which can move out of the trunnion protected area during flap operation.

The inboard flap trunnion wear associated with a drive failure at track 2 or associated with a hard jam at track 1 could lead to loss of flap surface control.  A free moveable flap could detach from the wing and damage the tail plane.

This Directive mandates the repetitive inspection of the inboard flap trunnion and sliding panel.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 September 2005