EASA AD No.: 2014-0186

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2014-0186

Date: 19 August 2014

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):

A319, A320 and A321 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.064

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 27 Flight Controls – Flight Computers and Sharklet Common Ground 

Connection – Modification

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131,

A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, 

A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, 

A321-212, A321-213, A321-231 and A321-232 aeroplanes, all manufacturer 

serial numbers on which Airbus modification (mod) 160500 or mod 160023 has 

been embodied in production, and those which have been modified in service 

through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320-57-1173 at any revision (Rev.) up to 

Rev.04, or Airbus SB A320-57-1186 at any revision up to Rev.02, or Airbus SB 

A320-57-1187 at original issue or at Rev.01, except those on which Airbus mod

156108 has been embodied in production.

Reason: During A320 Neo review, Airbus design office identified that on A320 family 

aeroplanes equipped with sharklets, discretes used to activate the load 

alleviation function are connected on various flight computers using the same 

ground point. In that case, the ground point segregation is no longer effective

and a single failure could lead to loss of sharklet identification by the flight 

computers, inducing a return to the wing tip fence (no sharklet configuration)

behaviour.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control of the aeroplane, 

depending on aeroplane configuration and flight phase.

It has been determined that Airbus mod 156108 restores the correct 

segregation. However, since introduction of sharklet mod 160500 and mod 

160023, a number of aeroplanes equipped with sharklets have been delivered 
EASA AD No.: 2014-0186

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without incorporating mod 156108. In addition, mod 156108 was not included in

certain SBs that introduce the sharklet device in service onto aeroplanes with a 

reinforced wing, previously operated with a wing tip fence. Airbus mod 156108 

has now been introduced into Airbus SB A320-57-1186 at Rev.03 and will be 

introduced at next revisions of SB A320-57-1173 and SB A320-57-1187.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus published SB A320-27-1240 

for in-service installation of mod 156108.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification of the sharklet 

ground connection.

Effective Date: 02 September 2014

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the sharklet ground 

connection in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A320-27-1240. 

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A320-27-1240 original issue dated 18 June 2014.

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. This AD was posted on 01 July 2014 as PAD 14-109 for consultation until 

29 July 2014. No comments were received during the consultation period.

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 – Airworthiness Office – EIAS;

Fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; E-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com.