AD/A320/198 Ram Air Turbine Actuator (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/A320/198 Ram Air Turbine Actuator 2/2007

Applicability:

Airbus Industrie A319 and A321 model aircraft, not incorporating Airbus Industrie modification 27015 in production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB)
A320-29-1088 in service.

Requirement:

Replace the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) actuator with an improved actuator in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1088; original issue or later DGAC approved revisions.

Note:  French DGAC Airworthiness Directive 1999-412-141(B) dated 20 October 1999 refers.

Compliance:

Unless already accomplished, within 50 hours or one month from the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, whichever occurs earlier.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 February 2007.

Background:

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) actuator may jam if the RAT deployment is initiated with the aircraft in negative G conditions.  Should the actuator jam under these conditions, the RAT may not be recoverable during flight.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

5 January 2007