Airworthiness Directive 2016-05-02

recurring
Official AD 2016-05-02 · FR doc 2016-04577 · 2016-03-09 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

What this AD requires

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-13-11 and AD 2013-16-09 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2011-13-11 required an amendment of the airplane flight manual (AFM), repetitive checks of specific centralized fault display system (CFDS) messages, an inspection of the opening sequence of the main landing gear (MLG) door for discrepancies if certain messages are found, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2013-16-09 required an inspection to determine airplane configuration and part numbers of the landing gear control interface unit and MLG door actuators; and, for affected airplanes, repetitive inspections of the opening sequence of the MLG door, and replacement of the MLG door actuator if necessary. AD 2013-16-09 also provided optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD reduces the interval of the MLG door opening sequence inspection, requires replacing or modifying certain MLG door actuators, and also requires a flushing procedure to be performed when installing a new MLG door actuator. This AD was prompted by a determination that the interval of the MLG door opening sequence inspection must be reduced. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct deterioration of the damping ring and associated retaining ring of the MLG door actuator, which can sufficiently increase the friction inside the actuator to restrict opening of the MLG door by gravity, during operation of the landing gear alternate (free-fall) extension system. This condition could prevent the full extension and/or down-locking of the MLG, possibly resulting in MLG collapse during landing and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

Repetitive inspection. Re-inspect every 12 months. The next-due date/hours depend on this aircraft’s time in service — a records report computes it from the logbooks.

Which aircraft AD 2016-05-02 applies to

MakesAirbus
ModelsA318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, A321-232, A318, A319, A320, A321

Applies to all manufacturer serial numbers.

Whether AD 2016-05-02 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 2016-05-02 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.