AD/A320/232 Rudder Side Shell Skin (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/A320/232 Rudder Side Shell Skin 9/2009

Applicability:

Model A318-111, -112, -121 and -122 aircraft, all serial numbers;

Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132 and -133 aircraft, all serial numbers;

Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232 and -233 aircraft, all serial numbers;

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

-      If equipped with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) rudders having part numbers and serial numbers as listed in Appendix A to EASA AD 2009-0141.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0141.

Note:  AIRBUS All Operators Telex A320-55A1038 Revision 01, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
27 August 2009.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 August 2009.

Background:

Reports were received of surface defects that were visually detected on the rudders of an A319 and an A321 aircraft.  Investigation determined that the defects reported on both rudders corresponded to areas that had been reworked in production, and confirmed the defects were a result of de-bonding between the skin and honeycomb core.  An extended de-bonding, unless undetected and corrected, could degrade the structural integrity of the rudder.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

15 July 2009