CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE

1 ROND POINT MAURICE BELLONTE

31707 BLAGNAC CEDEX FRANCE

TELEPHONE + 33 (0)5 61 93 33 33

ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT

AOT ref: A53N006-14 Page 1 of 3 Date: 13-MAY-2014

© AIRBUS S.A.S. 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY DOCUMENT

SUBJECT: ATA 53 – Inspection for Missing Fasteners at FR24 RH Side between STR17 & STR18

AIRCRAFT TYPE: A319,A320,A321

OUR REF.: A53N006-14 dated 13-MAY-2014.

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

MSN 5230 to 5254; 5256 to 5294; 5296 to 5300

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION

2.1 APPENDIX

Appendix A.Fasteners location

Appendix B.Flowchart

2.2 REFERENCES

Ref. 1. SRM 53-21-12 PB 001 Fig 001 item 60

Ref. 2. Service Bulletin A320-53-1285 rev. 00 dated Jan 29/14

Ref. 3. NTM 51-90-00

Ref. 4. NTM 51-10-08

Ref. 5. SRM 51-75-11

3. REASON

3.1 FACTS

During a VIP cabin customisation, several fasteners and one angle (PN D532-30065-201-03 identified in

Ref. 1.) were found missing at FR24 Right Hand side between STR17 and STR18. A quality

investigation has shown that the following MSN are potentially impacted by the same issue:

MSN 5230 to 5254; 5256 to 5294; 5296 to 5300.

3.2 CONSEQUENCES

Non-installation of the angle and fasteners may affect the structural integrity of the circumferential joint

and surrounding area: fatigue analysis has set up a threshold (TH) of 3300 FC for possible crack

initiation without this angle.

3.3 AIM

The aim of this AOT is to call for a one-time Detailed Inspection (DET) in order to detect any missing

fastener at FR24 RH side between STR17-STR18. The latest fatigue analysis results are not sufficient

to demonstrate TH provided in SB Ref. 2.

Some of potentially affected A/C have already reached the revised TH of 3300 FC and need to be

inspected trough this AOT, which aims at the same inspection, before SB Ref. 2. revision.
ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT

AOT ref: A53N006-14 Page 2 of 3 Date: 13-MAY-2014

© AIRBUS S.A.S. 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY DOCUMENT

4. SHORT TERM ACTION

4.1 PLANNING AND MANPOWER

4.1.1 ACCOMPLISHMENT TIMESCALE

Instructions provided in this AOT must be applied within 60 FC from AOT issuance date since potentially

affected A/C have already reached the revised TH of 3300 FC.

4.1.2 MANPOWER

The manpower estimates given in this AOT are based on the direct labour cost to do the work. These

estimates assume that the work will be done by experienced personnel, and may need to be revised

upwards to suit operator’s circumstances. The estimates do not include the time to prepare, plan or

inspect the work. Manufacturing and procurement of parts and tools, drying times for paints, sealants,

etc., and general administration work are also not included.

The estimated time to get access, perform the inspection and close-up is 1 MH.

4.2 DESCRIPTION

4.2.1 ACCESS

WARNING: Be careful when you use consumable materials. Obey the material manufacturer's

instructions and your local regulations.

Put ACCESS PLATFORM 4M (13 FT) in position at zone 230 at level of fuselage external RH side,

FR24.

4.2.2 INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Please refer to Appendix A. for location of possible missing fasteners and to Appendix B. for inspection

flowchart.

Perform a DET as per Ref. 3. for missing fasteners. If necessary use a flashlight flush to fuselage skin in

order to detect rivet heads.

If fasteners presence / absence cannot be confirmed by the DET, one of the two further inspection steps

has to be applied:

- Perform HFEC inspection of the area as per Ref. 4.

- Or perform local sanding as per Ref. 5. and do a DET as per Ref. 3.

4.2.3 FINDINGS

Missing fasteners reported in the area corresponds to a non-installation of the angle. In case of missing

fasteners confirmation, embody SB Ref. 2. before next flight.

In case of other findings (such as crack discovered during the inspection), please contact Airbus before

next flight to get further instructions:

SEOE1/SEOE2/SEOE3

Customer Services

Fax: +33 (0)5 61 93 28 73
ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT

AOT ref: A53N006-14 Page 3 of 3 Date: 13-MAY-2014

© AIRBUS S.A.S. 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY DOCUMENT

Mailto:

region1.StructureRepairSupport@airbus.com

region2.StructureRepairSupport@airbus.com 

region3.StructureRepairSupport@airbus.com 

Or for AOG request

AIRTAC (Airbus Technical AOG Center)

Customer Services

Phone: +33 (0)5 61 93 34 00

Fax: +33 (0)5 61 93 35 00

Mailto: airtac@airbus.com

4.3 SPARES AND TOOLING

Information about spares and tooling for missing angle installation is available in SB Ref. 2. content.

5. FURTHER INFORMATION

5.1 FOLLOW-UP PLAN

A new revision (rev. 01) of SB Ref. 2. will be issued to cancel and supersede this AOT including:

- Inspection requirements depicted in this AOT,

- Updated TH of 3300 FC.

5.2 IMPACTED DOCUMENTATION

N/A

6. AOT APPROVAL

The technical content of this document is approved under the authority of DOA nr. EASA.21J.031.

7. REPORTING

Questions about this AOT and inspection results with or without findings are to be sent to Airbus

Customer Services engineering as soon as possible, after the AOT application, to the attention of:

Emeric MEVEL

Structure Engineer

Structure Engineering Support – SEES1

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Phone: +33(0)5 67 19 02 41

Fax: +33(0)5 61 93 36 14

Mailto: emeric.mevel@airbus.com

Best Regards,

Jean-Luc MOUYSSET

VICE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING SUPPORT

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Gilles DE-CEVINS

VICE PRESIDENT A320 PROGRAMME

CUSTOMER SERVICES