AD/A320/210 80VU Rack Attachments (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/A320/210 80VU Rack Attachments 13/2007

Applicability:

Model A318-111 and -112 aircraft,

Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 aircraft,

Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, and -233 aircraft,

Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 aircraft;

except aircraft with AIRBUS Modification 34804 incorporated in production.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2007-0276.

Note:  AIRBUS Service Bulletins A320-25A1555 original issue, and A320-25-1557 original issue, or later EASA approved revisions, refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
20 December 2007.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 December 2007.

Background:

In-service reports have been received of damage to the lower lateral fittings of the 80VU rack; typically elongated holes, migrated bushes, and/or missing bolts.  In addition, damage to the lower central support fitting (including cracking) has been reported.  In the worst case scenario, a complete failure of the 80VU fittings in combination with a high load factor or strong vibration could lead to failure of the rack structure and/or computers or disconnection of the cable harnesses to one or more computers located in the 80VU.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

8 November 2007