AD/A330/37 Amdt 1 - Elevator Servocontrols

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/37 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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/A330/37

Amdt 1

Elevator Servocontrols 13/2004 TX

Applicability: AIRBUS A330-200, A330-300 aircraft all serial numbers.

Requirement: 1. For elevator servocontrols installed in damping position on A330-200 aircraft only:

Unless already accomplished, replace the O-ring seals installed on the two solenoid valves of each servocontrol by new O-ring seals in accordance with AOT A330-27A3129 Revision 01.

2. For spare elevator servocontrols which were installed on A330-200 aircraft the O-ring seals of which were not replaced as detailed in Requirement 1 of this Directive:

Replace the O-ring seals installed on the two spare servocontrol solenoid valves by new O-ring seals in accordance with AOT A330-27A3129 Revision 01.

3. For A330-200, A330-300, aircraft:

(a) The following operational procedure is rendered mandatory, on the ground before takeoff:

Undetected Elevator Control Loss in case of Dual Failure

“On ground, before takeoff until takeoff power thrust setting, apply the following procedure.

 In the case of a F/CTL PRIM 1 FAULT, or F/CTL PRIM 1 PITCH FAULT Select the PRIM 1 switch to OFF then ON to perform a FCPC PRIM 1 reset

 If successful

Perform the normal pre-flight Flight Control check

 If unsuccessful

Return to the gate and require appropriate maintenance actions.

 In the case of a F/CTL ELEV SERVO FAULT or HYD G SYS LO PR Return to the gate and require appropriate maintenance actions".

Note 1: The incorporation of the flight manual temporary revision 4.02.00/25 issue 02 or a copy of this Directive in the aircraft operations manual and their strict application by the flight crew allows Requirement 3(a) of this Directive to be met.

(b) Introduce into the aircraft Minimum Equipment List (MEL) the following temporary revisions relevant to the manufacturer's MMEL:

- SECTION 01: A330 MMEL TR No. 01-27/01K issue 01

- SECTION 01: A330 MMEL TR No. 01-27/02K issue 01 (Enhanced A330

fitted with Rudder Fly-by-wire) and comply with these directives.

Note 2: These MMEL TRs will be introduced into the next general revision of the MMEL.

4. For all A330-200 aircraft which have received embodiment of AOT A330- 27A3129 and which have not received embodiment of AOT A330-27A3129 Revision 01:

(a) Check the Part Numbers (PN) of the seals installed on the solenoid valve of the servocontrol of the elevator in damping position.

(b) If the seals installed have PN MS28775-XXX or a PN that cannot be identified, replace them with the following seals:

IPC 27-34-51-1 item 130: NAS1611-011 or NAS1611-011A IPC 27-34-51-1 item 140: NAS1611-012 or NAS1611-012A IPC 27-34-51-1 item 150: NAS1611-013 or NAS1611-013A

5. For A330-200, A330-300, aircraft equipped with elevator servocontrols SC 4800-2/-4/-7/-8 or SC4800-7/-8 changed to SC4800-7A/-9 by embodiment in service of AIRBUS (SB) A330-27-3076:

Replace the O-ring seals installed on the two solenoid valves of each elevator servocontrol:

- in damping position (except for the A330-200 aircraft covered by Requirement 4 of this Directive),

- in active position,

with new O-ring seals PN NAS1611-XXX or PN NAS1611-XXXA in accordance with SB A330-27A3131 or A340-27A4130.

6. For spare elevator servocontrols SC 4800-2/ -4/-7/-8 or SC4800-7/-8 changed to SC4800-7A/-9 by embodiment in service of A330-27-3076:

Replace the O-ring seals installed on the two spare servocontrol solenoid valves by new O-ring seals PN NAS1611-XXX or PN NAS1611-XXXA in accordance with SB A330-27A3131 or A340-27A4130.

Later DGAC approved revisions of the service bulletins and all operator telexes identified in this Directive may be used in lieu of those revisions currently detailed.

Note 3: DGAC AD F-2004-158 EASA approval reference No. 2004-9778 refers.

Compliance: For Requirement 1: Before the accumulation of 3,000 flights (FC) by the servocontrol since new or 3,000 FC since the installation of the solenoid valve on the servocontrol or within 700 flight hours (FH) from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs later:

For Requirement 2: Before installation on an aircraft

For Requirement 3: From the effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 4: Unless previously accomplished, before further flight.

For Requirement 5: Within 1,400 FH following the effective date of this Directive. For Requirement 6: Before installation on aircraft.

This Amendment becomes effective on 25 October 2004.

Background: The original issue of this Directive dealt with the incompatibility of certain “o” rings fitted to the elevator servocontrol solenoid valves that could cause malfunction of the elevator controls.

This amendment includes additional checks to be carried out prior to each flight and also details the correct parts to be fitted to the servocontrols to prevent the unsafe condition from occurring.

The original issue of this Directive became effective on 23 July 2004.

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 21 October 2004

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 October 2004.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Amendment Instrument 2004 (No. 1) was enacted in 2004 to address safety concerns related to the elevator servocontrols on Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft. This legislative instrument revokes an earlier Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/37 and introduces a new AD to mandate specific actions aimed at correcting an unsafe condition identified in the aircraft's elevator servocontrols. The objective of this amendment is to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft by addressing the potential for malfunction due to incompatible O-ring seals on the solenoid valves of the elevator servocontrols. This legislative instrument was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under its authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by requiring specific maintenance actions and operational procedures to prevent unsafe conditions from occurring.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies to all Airbus Industrie A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft, regardless of their serial number. The AD mandates specific actions concerning the elevator servocontrols to ensure airworthiness and safety, which includes replacing certain O-ring seals on solenoid valves and implementing operational procedures before takeoff. The directive applies to aircraft currently in operation as well as spare elevator servocontrols that have not yet been installed. The actions required must be completed by specific deadlines, such as before the accumulation of a certain number of flights or flight hours from the directive's effective date. The directive extends its requirements through subordinate instruments, including service bulletins and operator telexes, which are subject to approval by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGAC). The AD became effective on 25 October 2004 and amends a previous directive issued on 23 July 2004.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/37 Amdt 1 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains specifically to the Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft series. The directive outlines several requirements that must be fulfilled to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft. Firstly, for elevator servocontrols installed in the damping position on A330-200 aircraft, it is mandated that the O-ring seals on the two solenoid valves of each servocontrol be replaced with new O-ring seals, following the guidelines in AOT A330-27A3129 Revision 01 (Section 1). Similarly, for spare elevator servocontrols that have not had their O-ring seals replaced as per requirement 1, the seals must also be replaced in accordance with the same guidelines (Section 2). Moreover, the directive introduces a mandatory operational procedure to be performed on the ground before takeoff in the event of an undetected elevator control loss due to dual failure (Section 3). Additionally, the directive requires the incorporation of specific temporary revisions into the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and the aircraft operations manual (Section 3(b)). The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the O-ring seals on the elevator servocontrol solenoid valves are replaced as required. This includes performing the necessary checks and replacements before a specified number of flights or flight hours, depending on the requirement. Furthermore, operators must adhere to the operational procedures outlined in the directive, including the implementation of the specified MEL revisions. The directive also mandates the incorporation of flight manual temporary revisions or a copy of the directive into the aircraft operations manual and the strict application of these requirements by the flight crew. Breaching the requirements of this AD can result in severe consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, non-compliance with CASA directives can typically lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Area of Law: Aviation Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Compliance Obligations; Offence Provisions

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