-Caveat Lector- June 2, 2000 (17 months ago) "...the actions specified in these service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition."
"There are approximately 23 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected..." On June 2, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-11-27, amendment 39-11776 (65 FR 37029, June 13, 2000), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, to require a one-time ultrasonic inspection to detect disbonding of the skin attachments at the stringers and spars of the vertical stabilizer, and repair, if necessary. For certain airplanes, that AD also requires prior or concurrent modification of the vertical stabilizer to ensure proper reinforcement of its attachment to the skin. That AD was prompted by reports received from the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, of localized failure of bonds of the spars and stringers on several vertical stabilizer spar boxes to the skin. The failure resulted from contamination of the bonding surface during the production process. The requirements of that AD are intended to detect and correct disbonding of the vertical stabilizer structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the spar boxes of the vertical stabilizer. In the preamble of AD 2000-11-27, the FAA indicated that the actions required by that AD were considered to be interim action. Airbus had advised that it was then developing a program of repetitive inspections to address the localized disbonding. The FAA indicated that it might consider additional rulemaking once the repetitive inspection program had been developed, approved, and made available. Since the issuance of AD 2000-11-27, Airbus has developed a program for repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the bonds between the spars and stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar boxes and the skin. Airbus has also developed a program for installation of fasteners to reinforce the bond of the vertical stabilizers to the skin, which terminates the repetitive ultrasonic inspections. Airbus has incorporated these programs into the service bulletins described below. Explanation of Relevant Service Information Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-55A1027, Revision 02, dated February 13, 2001, which describes procedures for repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the spars and stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar box for failure of the bonds to the skin; and procedures for repair of localized areas of disbonding. Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A320-55-1028, Revision 03, dated November 2, 2000, which describes procedures for installation of fasteners to reinforce those areas where the bond between the spars and stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar box and the skin are susceptible to failure. This installation terminates the repetitive inspections of the vertical stabilizer spar box. Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified both service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2000-520-159(B), dated December 13, 2000, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France. FAA's Conclusions These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States. Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 2000-11-27 to require repetitive ultrasonic inspection to detect disbonding of the skin attachments at the stringers and spars of the vertical stabilizer; and repair, if necessary. For certain airplanes, the proposed AD would continue to require prior or concurrent modification of the vertical stabilizer to ensure proper reinforcement of its attachment to the skin. The proposed AD would also require installation of fasteners to reinforce the bonds to the skin, which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described previously. Cost Impact There are approximately 23 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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