AD NUMBER: 2011-19-04

MANUFACTURER: Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes
SUBJECT: AD Number 2011-19-04
ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

One case of elevator servo-control disconnection has been experienced on an aeroplane of the A320 family. Investigation has revealed that the failure occurred at the servo-control rod eye-end.

Further to this finding, additional inspections have revealed cracking at the same location on a number of other servo-control rod eye-ends. In several cases, both actuators of the same elevator surface were affected. The root cause of the cracking has not yet been determined and tests are ongoing.

A dual servo-control disconnection on the same elevator could result in an uncontrolled surface, the elevator surface being neither actuated nor damped, which could lead to reduced control of the aeroplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 21, 2011

FMI: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/0/ACC47F5014C621938625790D004D7BDC?OpenDocument