Ad/A330/109 - Pitot Probe Quick-Disconnect Union (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 A330 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A330/109 Pitot Probe Quick-Disconnect Union 12/2009 TX

Applicability:

AIRBUS A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301,
A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342 and A330-343 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers, if fitted with Goodrich Pitot Probes Part Number (P/N) 0851HL, having serial numbers (S/N) 267328 through 270714 inclusive.

Requirement:

1.    Perform a torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union of each Goodrich P/N 0851HL pitot probe, identified by S/N in the Applicability section of this AD, in accordance with All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-34A3235 Revision 01.

Torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A330-34A3235 at Original issue is considered acceptable for compliance with Requirement 1 of this AD.

2.    Depending on findings of the torque check as detailed in Requirement 1 of this AD, apply the associated corrective action in accordance with instructions defined in AIRBUS All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-34A3235 Revision 01.

3.    Report the results, including no findings, to Airbus.

4.    After the effective date of this AD, when a P/N 0851HL pitot probe identified by S/N in the Applicability of this AD is installed on an aeroplane, perform the torque-check in accordance with Requirement 1 of this AD.

Note:  EASA Emergency AD 2009-0202-E dated 21 September 2009 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1 - Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, unless previously accomplished.

For Requirement 2 - Before next flight after completion of Requirement 1 of this AD.

For Requirement 3 - Within 10 days after accomplishment of the torque check detailed in Requirement 1 of this AD.

For Requirement 4 - Before next flight after installation.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 September 2009.

Background:

EASA have received several reports of loose pneumatic quick-disconnect unions on Goodrich pitot probes P/N 0851HL.  These may be the result of mis-torque of the affected unions at equipment manufacturing level.

Investigations are still on-going to determine the root cause(s).  This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an air leak, resulting in incorrect total pressure measurement and consequent erroneous Calibrated Airspeed (CAS)/MACH parameters delivered by the Air Data Computer (ADC).

As a precautionary measure, this AD requires a torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union on certain Goodrich P/N 0851HL pitot probes, and corrective action, depending on findings.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

22 September 2009