EASA AD No.: 2013-0175

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0175

Date: 02 August 2013

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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

AIRBUS 

Type/Model designation(s):

A330 and A340 aeroplanes

TCDS Numbers : EASA.A.004, EASA.A.015

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 24 Electrical Power– Generator Control Unit – Inspection

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-223F, A330-243, 

A330-243F, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, 

A330-341, A330-342 and A330-343 aeroplanes, and

Airbus A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, 

A340-541, A340-542, A340-642 and A340-643 aeroplanes,

all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to MSN 1391 inclusive, except MSN 

0925 and 1382.

Reason: During Final Assembly Line tests on an A330 aeroplane, the Generator Control 

Unit - Constant Speed Motor / Generator (GCU-CSM/G) failed the operational 

test.

Investigations revealed that it is due to incorrect locking of some contacts (pins)

into the GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A. An inspection of other aeroplanes

confirmed this production quality issue. Among the 26 pins used in GCU-CSM/G 

connector 1XE-A, 6 pins have been identified as potentially affected by this 

issue.

A badly locked contact could result in a loss of continuity and lead to the nonoperation of the CSM/G.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, and in conjunction with either an 

emergency electrical configuration loss of main electrical system or total engine 

flame out, could jeopardize the aeroplane’s safe flight.
EASA AD No.: 2013-0175

TE.CAP.00110-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

To address this condition, Airbus developed Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) 

A24L001-13, to provide instructions for a one-time inspection.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the 

potentially affected connector wires of GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A and,

depending on finding, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.

Effective Date: 16 August 2013

Required action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 1 000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, inspect the 

affected connector wires of GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A in accordance 

with the instructions of Airbus AOT A24L001-13.

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, a 

discrepancy is detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT 

A24L001-13.

Ref. Publications: Airbus AOT A24L001-13 dated 25 July 2013.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication.

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 – Airworthiness Office – EAL. 

Fax: + 33 5 61 93 45 80 or + 33 5 61 93 44 51. 

E-mail: airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com.