Aircraft Could Enter An 'Undesirable Pitch-Up' Situation Under Certain Conditions

EASA has issued an AD for all variants of the A320 family aircraft after simulations identified a potential angle-of-attack problem with the airplanes.

Simple Flying reports that while there have been AOA issues noted in the A320, a combination of four very specific things have to happen: the aircraft has an aft-biased COG; is undergoing a sustained continuous deceleration; in approach or landing configuration, and; the crew performs a "dynamic pitch-up maneuver."

EASA sent the AD to the operators of all types of A320-family aircraft on July 31, 2019. The AD States that operators must comply with Airbus’ Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR). The AFM TR in question limits the A320neo’s center of gravity envelope, thus limiting the preconditions necessary for the angle of attack issue to arise.

The AD requires operators to amend their applicable AFMs and inform all flight crews of the issue. EASA further stated that this AD, numbered 2019-0189, is considered an interim action and that further AD actions may follow.

Airbus stated that the conditions for an issue in the A321neo are different than those that lead to an undesirable condition in the A3200neo, most notably, according to the AD, is the Elevator Aileron Computer.

Airbus also stresses that in no circumstances will automated flight controls take over from manual inputs, such as is suspected in two accidents involving Boeing 737 MAX airplanes.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report
EASA AD