Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2019-03-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19555; Docket No. FAA-2018-0556; Product Identifier 2018-NM-015-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 26, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2016-17-03, Amendment 39-18616 (81 FR 55358, August 19, 2016) (``AD 2016-17-03'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of multiple angle of attack (AoA) probe blockages. We are issuing this AD to address the blockage of AoA probes. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to undue activation of the AoA protection, reverting to manual control of the airplane, which, under specific circumstances, could result in reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Definition of Affected Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) Units
For the purposes of this AD, ELAC units having a part number (P/ N) listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g),(h), and (i) of this AD are hereafter referred to as ``affected ELAC units'' in this AD. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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(h) Required Actions
For airplanes with ELAC unit part numbers listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD: Within the applicable compliance times defined in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, upgrade each ELAC unit by uploading L99 software part number (P/N) 3945129111 or by replacing the existing ELAC unit with an ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217 unit in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1263, dated April 28, 2017, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1264, dated April 28, 2017, as applicable; or in accordance with modification instructions approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, or by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or by Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or in accordance with modification instructions that are part of an FAA- accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, provided the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD are met. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(1) Absence of electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning or maintenance message related to ELAC, before the data- loadable ELAC unit is removed and software is loaded.
(2) The data-loadable ELAC unit is removed as specified in Airbus SAS Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Task 27-93-34-000-001- A. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93- 34-000-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
(3) The data-loadable ELAC unit is checked by two different means: bythe line replaceable unit (LRU) identification and either the label call-up or the Alpha Call-up ELA 1 and ELA 2 (if available).
(4) After the software is loaded, the data-loadable ELAC unit is re-installed as specified in Airbus SAS AMM Task 27-93-34-400-001-A. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93-34- 400-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA- accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD: Non-data-loadable ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217 units are fully interchangeable and mixable with data-loadable ELAC L99 P/N 3945129100 units with L99 software P/N 3945129111 loaded. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19FE19.016
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
(1) For airplanes with ELAC units listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD: After modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, do not install any affected ELAC unit on that airplane.
(2) For airplanes with ELAC units not listed in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD: From the effective date of this AD, do not install any affected ELAC unit on that airplane.
(j) Installation or Onboard Loading of Later Software Versions
Installation or onboard loading of an ELAC unit with a software standard above L99 is equal to compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD, provided the conditions specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD are met.
(1) The ELAC unit part number is approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA.
(2) The installation is accomplished in accordance with modification instructions approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, or by EASA, or by Airbus SAS's EASA DOA; or in accordance with modification instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, provided the conditions in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (j)(2)(iv) of this AD are met.
(i) Absence of ECAM warning or maintenance message related to ELAC, before the data-loadable ELAC unit is removed and software is loaded.
(ii) The data-loadable ELAC unit is removed as specified in Airbus SAS AMM Task 27-93-34-000-001-A. This does not apply to the onboard loading of ELAC units. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93-34-000-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
(iii) The data-loadable ELAC unit is checked by two different means: by the LRU identification and either the label call-up or the Alpha Call-up ELA 1 and ELA 2 (if available).
(iv) After the software is loaded, the data-loadable ELAC unit is re-installed as
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specified in Airbus SAS AMM Task 27-93-34-400-001-A. This does not apply to the onboard loading of ELAC units. The access and closing instructions identified in AMM Task 27-93-34-400-001-A are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with instructions that are part of an FAA-accepted maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
(k) Airplanes Not Affected by the Requirements of Paragraph (h) of This AD
(1) An airplane on which any modification (mod) specified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(1)(ii) of this AD was embodied in production is not affected by the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD, provided it is determined that no affected ELAC unit is installed as of the effective date of this AD.
(i) Airbus SAS mod 161843 (installation of data-loadable ELAC P/ N 3945129100 unit with L99 software P/N 3945129111) or mod 159979 (installation of non-data-loadable ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217 unit).
(ii) Airbus SAS mod 160577 (installation of data-loadable ELAC P/N 3945129100 unit with L101 software P/N 3945129112) or mod 162042 (installation of non-data-loadable ELAC L101 P/N 3945128218 unit).
(2) An airplane that has been modified as specified in the service information identified in paragraph (k)(2)(i), (k)(2)(ii), or (k)(2)(iii) of this AD is not affected by the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD, provided it is determined that no affected ELAC unit is installed as of the effective date of this AD.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1267, dated September 27, 2017 (installation of non-data-loadable ELAC L101 P/N 3945128218 unit).
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1268, dated September 27, 2017 (installation of data-loadable ELAC P/N 3945129100 unit with L101 software P/N 3945129112 for A320 NEO).
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1269, dated September 27, 2017 (installation of data-loadable ELAC P/N 3945129100 unit with L101 software P/N 3945129112).
(l) Terminating Action for AD 2016-17-03
Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD or complying with the provisions specified in paragraph (k) of this AD terminates all requirements of AD 2016-17-03.
(m) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the localflight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA- authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(n) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0007R1, dated January 19, 2018, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0556.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (o)(3) and (o)(4) of this AD.
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1263, dated April 28, 2017.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1264, dated April 28, 2017.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; internet http://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.