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 39.1 (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.
Electrical Equipment
AD/ELECT/74 Lermer GmbH Water Boilers 10/2004
Applicability: Lermer GmbH (previously Lermer) water boilers with any of the following: a. Part Number L13471, L13471-05, L13471-11 or L13471-19; or
b. Type Number 1010099-6, 1010099-10, 1010099-6.1 or 1010099-6.2.
Water boilers that have been engraved with one of the following Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) numbers A300-25A0474, A310-25A2146, A300-25A6170, A320-
25A1299, A330-25A3174 or A340-25A4192; or the words ‘Complies with AD F-2004-132’, are not affected by the requirements of this Directive.
Note 1: These water boilers are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300, A310, A300-600, A318, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340 series aeroplanes.
Requirement: Get access to the water boiler in accordance with the applicable aircraft maintenance manual and identify the water boiler. If a water boiler bears one of the following Lermer Part Numbers or Type Numbers:
Part Number L13471, L13471-05, L13471-11 or L13471-19 or
Type Number 1010099-6, 1010099-10, 1010099-6.1 or 1010099-6.2.
Carry out the following:
- Check the logo on the identification plate at the rear side of the water boiler (see fig 1). If the new DRIESSEN logo exists, no further action is required.
b. If the old Lermer logo exists, inspect the overheat protection of the water boiler in accordance with Lermer GmbH CMM 25-30-31 page block 300.
Fig 1 - Lermer Water Boiler
c. If four or more electrical terminals are connected, engrave adjacent to the equipment label ‘Complies with AD F-2004-132’.
d. If less than four electrical terminals are connected, scrap the water boiler and install an airworthy one.
For Airbus aeroplanes, embodiment of the following applicable SB is considered an acceptable mean of compliance for the requirements of this Directive:
A300-25A0474 A310-25A2146
A300-25A6170 A320-25A1299
A330-25A3174 340-25A4192.
Note 2: DGAC AD F-1004-132 refers.
Compliance: Before 31 December 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: The Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile of France has advised that an A330 aircraft made an in flight turn back due to overheat of a galley water boiler.
Investigations revealed that some of the Lermer water boilers listed above have a deficiency in the electrical circuit design. In fact, the overheat protector may be installed in serial with the relay control and in case of relay contact sticking, the continuous source of power to the heating element cannot be cut. This situation may lead to the emission of burning smell together with smoke and possible injury to the aeroplane’s occupants.
This Directive requires the inspection of applicable water boilers. Water boilers with overheat protection having less than 4 electrical terminals are discarded; those with 4 or more than 4 electrical terminals are marked as having been inspected and returned to service.
Gary J Carr
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.