EASA AD No : 2012-0221

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0221

Date: 23 October 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 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) :

A318, A319, A320 and A321 aeroplanes

TCDS Number : EASA.A.064

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : None

ATA 55 Stabilizers – Elevators – Weight Check / Re-identification

Manufacturer(s): Airbus

Applicability: Airbus A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112,

A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-111,

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.

Reason: It has been identified that maintenance activities, such as repairs or the 

accumulation of paint layers, may cause the weight of an elevator to exceed the 

certified limits.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in reduced control of 

the aeroplane.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a onetime weight check of

both left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) elevators, accomplishment of corrective 

actions, as applicable, depending on findings, and re-identification of the 

elevators.

The monitoring of elevator weight evolution after having complied with this AD is 

ensured by Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 2 CDCCL (Critical Design 

Configuration Control Limitations), compliance with which is currently required 

by EASA AD 2010-0071R1.

Effective Date: 06 November 2012
EASA AD No : 2012-0221

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within the compliance time defined in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, for 

each elevator having the first 12 digits of the Part Number (P/N) as listed in 

Table 2 of this AD, accomplish a weight check in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320-55-1034.

Table 1

Elevator condition, on the 

effective date of this AD

Compliance Time, after the 

effective date of this AD

For an elevator for which the 

records show that no maintenance 

actions have been performed 

since first installation on an 

aeroplane, which might have 

affected its weight 

72 months 

All other elevators 48 months

Table 2

Part name P/N (first 12 digits only)

LH Elevator D55280001000, D55280001002, D55280001004, 

D55280001008, D55280001010, D55280001012, 

and D55280002000.

RH Elevator D55280001001, D55280001003, D55280001005, 

D55280001009, D55280001011, D55280001013, 

and D55280002001.

(2) If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (1) of this AD,

exceeds the weight limit specified in Airbus SB A320-55-1034, as 

applicable to the aeroplane model and to the elevator P/N, before further 

flight, accomplish the applicable corrective actions followed by a new weight 

check of the elevator in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A320-

55-1034, 

(2.1) If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (2) of this 

AD, does not exceed the weight limit specified in Airbus SB A320-55-

1034, as applicable to the aeroplane model and to the elevator P/N, 

within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, record the 

elevator weight and re-identify the elevator in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus SB A320-55-1042 Revision 01.

(2.2) If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (2) of this 

AD, still exceeds the weight limit specified in Airbus SB A320-55-

1034, as applicable to the aeroplane model and to the elevator P/N, 

before further flight, contact Airbus to obtain the necessary approved 

instructions for corrective action and accomplish those instructions 

accordingly.

(3) If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (1) of this AD,

does not exceed the weight limit specified in Airbus SB A320-55-1034, as 

applicable to the aeroplane model and to the elevator P/N, within 72 months 

after the effective date of this AD, record the elevator weight and re-identify 

the elevator, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A320-55-1042

Revision 01.

(4) Prior of the effective date of this AD, accomplishment of Airbus SB 55-1042 
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original issue is acceptable to comply with paragraph (2) and (3) of this AD.

(5) A review of the aeroplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of the 

weight check required by paragraph (1) of this AD, provided the elevator 

weight can be conclusively identified from that review.

(6) The use of elevator weight data from production as specified in Airbus SB

A320-55-1034 is acceptable in lieu of the weight check required by 

paragraph (1) of this AD, provided that the affected elevator has not been 

subjected to any maintenance action that could have modified the weight.

(7) Aeroplanes on which Airbus modification 150390 has been embodied in 

production are not affected by the requirements of paragraph (1), (2) and 

(3) of this AD, provided that no elevator having a P/N as defined in Table 2

of this AD has been installed on that aeroplane since aeroplane first flight.

(8) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on any aeroplane an 

elevator with a P/N (first 12 digits only) listed in Table 2 of this AD, unless in 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A320-55-1034 original issue dated 19 August 2011.

Airbus SB A320-55-1042 Revision 01 dated 29 June 2012.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents 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 05 June 2012 as PAD 12-060 for consultation until 

03 July 2012. 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 – Airworthiness Office – EIAS,

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