Airworthiness Directive 01-20700

recurring
AD 01-20700 · 2001-08-20 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

What this AD requires

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which is applicable to all Model A320 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive measurements of the deflection of the elevator trailing edge; inspections of the elevator servo controls and their attachments; and replacement of worn or damaged parts, if necessary. This amendment requires periodic inspection of the elevators for excessive freeplay, repair of worn parts if excessive freeplay is detected, and modification of the elevator neutral setting. It also revises the applicability to include additional airplane models. This amendment is prompted by additional reports of severe vibration in the aft cabin of Model A320 series airplanes and studies that indicate that the primary cause is excessive freeplay in the elevator attachments. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive vibration of the elevators, which could result in reduced structural integrity and reduced controllability of the airplane.

Repetitive inspection. Re-inspect. The next-due date/hours depend on this aircraft’s time in service — a records report computes it from the logbooks.

Which aircraft AD 01-20700 applies to

MakesAirbus
ModelsA320, A321

applicability derived from the AD summary — confirm the model/serial from the records

Whether AD 01-20700 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of complianceThe specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.
DateWhen the work was done.
Aircraft timeTotal time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.
Signature & certificateThe A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.
Is AD 01-20700 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.