Airworthiness Directive 2020-20-16

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Official AD 2020-20-16 · FR doc 2020-22243 · 2020-10-08 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

What this AD requires

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-17- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2018-17-05 required a check of the insulation resistance of the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV) of each affected electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-17-05, it was determined that certain EHA part numbers can be modified and re- identified as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which could inadvertently remove certain part numbers from the applicability in other EHA-related ADs including AD 2018-17-05. This AD was prompted by reports of EHA units that were returned to the manufacturer with degraded insulation resistance in the DDSOV; investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to incorrect sealing application, had caused this degradation. This AD was also prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs installed on inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential erroneous monitoring of those actuators. This AD requires a check of the insulation resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA and applicable corrective actions, and modification or replacement of certain EHAs; as specified in two EASA ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Which aircraft AD 2020-20-16 applies to

MakesAirbus
ModelsA350-941, A350-1041, A350

Whether AD 2020-20-16 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 2020-20-16 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.