EASA AD No : 2012-0006 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2012-0006 

Date: 12 January 2012 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation. 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

AIRBUS 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

A310 and A300-600 aeroplanes 

TCDS Number : France TCDS No 145 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 55 Stabilizers – Vertical Stabilizer / Rudder – Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie) 

Applicability: Airbus A310 and A300-600 aeroplanes, all certified models, all serial numbers, 

except those aeroplanes on which Airbus modification 08827 has been 

incorporated in production. 

Reason: Following in-service findings reported by an operator, rudder laboratory 

investigation revealed the existence of a crack through the honeycomb core 

closed with phenolic resin. This condition if not detected and corrected, could 

result in extended de-bonding, which would adversely affect the structural 

integrity of the rudder. The loss of the rudder could lead to degradation of the 

handling qualities and reduces the controllability of the aeroplane. 

Further investigations identified a batch of five affected rudders. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires the replacement of the five 

affected rudders with serviceable ones.

Effective Date: 26 January 2012 
EASA AD No : 2012-0006 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished: 

(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 

following actions: 

(1.1) Inspect to determine the serial number (S/N) of the rudder Part 

Number (P/N) A55471500 which is installed on the aeroplane. 

 Instead of inspecting the rudder, a review of the aeroplane 

maintenance records along with any other applicable data is 

acceptable, provided the P/N and S/N of the rudder can be 

positively determined from that review. 

(1.2) If the S/N of the rudder, identified as required by paragraph (1.1) of 

this AD, is HF1010, HF1036, HF1059, HF1061 or HF1064, replace it 

with a serviceable rudder in accordance with the instructions of 

Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manual task No. 27-21-21. 

(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any aeroplane a rudder 

P/N A55471500 with S/N HF1010, HF1036, HF1059, HF1061 or HF1064. 

Note: For information purposes only and according to the latest but 

nonetheless outdated data in Airbus’ possession at the date of publication of 

this AD, the five rudders mentioned in paragraph (2) of this AD were known to 

have been installed on aeroplanes having the following Manufacturer Serial 

Numbers: 0297, 0295, 0355, 0500 and 0321. Since then, each rudder may 

have been moved to another aeroplane.

Ref. Publications: Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manual task No. 27-21-21. 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative 

Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 30 November 2011 as PAD 11-129 for consultation 

until 28 December 2011. The Comment Response Document can be found 

at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: AIRBUS SAS – EAW (Airworthiness Office, 

Telephone: + 33 5 61 18 41 39, Fax: + 33 5 61 93 44 51)