Alert Operators Transmission - Aot: Customer Services Directorate

CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE
2 ROND POINT EMILE DEWOITINE

31700 BLAGNAC FRANCE
TELEPHONE + 33 (0)5 61 93 33 33
ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT
SUBJECT: ATA 55 – INSPECTION OF RUDDER FOR DISBOND LINKED TO MODIFICATION

SERVICE BULLETIN 55-1052 AND MODIFICATION SERVICE BULLETIN 55-1059
AIRCRAFT TYPE: A318,A319,A320,A321
OUR REF.: A55N003-20 Rev 00 dated 15-DEC-2020
EFFECTIVITY DATE:
15th of December 2020
1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED
All A318 post Modification Service Bulletin (MSB) 55-1059 aircraft.

All A319, A320 and A321 post MSB 55-1052 aircraft.
Rudders installed with the two following conditions

- Serial Number (SN) from TS-2001 to TS-8463 or HMC-1002 to HMC-1241
- MSB 55-1052 or MSB 55-1059 accomplished (PNs Post MOD in accordance with Appendix 1)
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION
2.1 APPENDIX
Appendix 1: Rudder configuration PNs Post MSB 55-1052 or Post MSB 55-1059
Appendix 2: Inspection Flowchart
Appendix 3: Inspection Report Form
2.2 REFERENCES
Ref [1] MSB 55-1052 Stabilizers – Rudder- Modify lightning strike protection front area
Ref [2] MSB 55-1059 - Rudder- Modify lightning strike protection front area
Ref [3] SBIT 20-0051, SBs A320-55-1052 REV02 / A320-55-1059 REV 00 - SB EMBODIMENT TO BE
STOPPED
Ref [4] NTM 51-90-00 Visual Testing - General
Ref [5] NTM 51-10-19-280-801 Inspection of FRP Composite Components Honeycomb Sandwich Parts
with the Woodpecker WP632
Ref [6] NTM 51-10-03 Inspection of CFRP and GFRP composite components – honeycomb sandwich
parts - General
Ref [7] AMM 27-21-41-04 Rudder Removal – Installation
Ref [8] OIT 999.0018/16 Procedure to report results of inspections
AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 1 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020
© AIRBUS S.A.S. 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY DOCUMENT
3. REASON
3.1 FACTS
During accomplishment of the MSB 55-1052 Ref [1], an operator reported a local disbonding detected by
tap test at the Left Hand (LH) side shell of the rudder close to the Lightning Protection Plate (LPP)
(Figure1).
Ref [1] consists in the removal of the LPP at the forward monolithic part of the outer sandwich side shells
LH & Right Hand (RH) side. The gap due to LPP removal is filled with glass layers cured.
Inappropriate curing conditions may lead to a damage between the outer skin and the honeycomb core.
As part of the investigation further to the reported disbonding/debond, Airbus identified the need to
further detail in Ref [1] and Ref [2] the glass layer curing instructions and the inspection after curing.
As the modification is applied on both sides, this can affect both LH and RH side shells.
Ref [1] applies to A319, A320 and A321 aircraft.

MSB 55-1059 Ref [2] describes same modification as Ref [1], applicable to A318 aircraft.
Figure 1 – Rudder General View, SB affected area (A318, A319, A320, A321)
3.2 CONSEQUENCES
Inappropriate curing conditions may lead to disbonding/debond which will impair the rudder structural
integrity.
3.3 AIM
The aim of this AOT is to inspect both of the rudder side shells for potential disbonding/debond linked
to accomplishment of the MSB Ref [1] or MSB Ref [2].
The area to be inspected, on LH side and RH side shells, is defined in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – Inspection area (LH shell view)

(RH view symmetrical) (No scale)
4. SHORT TERM ACTION
In order to address potential disbonding/debond linked to accomplishment of MSB Ref [1] or MSB
Ref [2], Airbus has defined two short term actions:
- Issuance of SBIT 20-0051 Ref [3] to stop the accomplishment of the MSB Ref [1] and MSB Ref [2].
- Dispatch of this AOT to inspect rudders in post MSB Ref [1] or post MSB Ref [2] configuration.
NOTE: This AOT is classified mandatory or expected to be classified mandatory by an Airworthiness

Directive (AD). The accomplishment instructions marked as Required for Compliance (RC) must be done
to comply with the AD. “RC” is indicating these paragraphs accordingly
NOTE: The accomplishment instructions of this AOT include procedures given in other documents or in
other sections of the AOT. When the words ’refer to’ are used and the operator has a procedure accepted
by the local authority he belongs to, the accepted alternative procedure can be used. When the words ’in
accordance with’ are used then the given procedure must be followed.
NOTE: The access and close-up instructions, not comprising return to service tests, in this AOT do not
constitute or affect the technical intent of the AOT. Operators can therefore, as deemed necessary, omit
or add access and/or close-up steps to add flexibility to their maintenance operations as long as the
technical intent of the AOT is met within the set parameters.
4.1 PLANNING AND MANPOWER
4.1.1 RC - ACCOMPLISHMENT TIMESCALE
For rudders in Post MSB Ref [1] or Post MSB Ref [2] configuration (Refer to Appendix 1 for applicable
PNs) or when rudder configuration cannot be confirmed, inspect the area defined in figure 2, on LH and
RH rudder side shells, in 2 (two) steps.
4.1.1.1 Step 01:
Perform a one-time General Visual Inspection (GVI) for bulging or waviness in accordance with 4.2.2 of
this AOT. This must be accomplished within fifty (50) Flight Cycles (FC) from AOT issuance date or within
three (3) months from AOT issuance date, whichever occurs first.
4.1.1.2 Step 02:
- In case of nil finding after GVI, perform a Special Detailed Inspection (SDI) for disbonding/debond
in accordance with 4.2.3 within two hundred (200) FC from AOT issuance date or within three (3)
months from AOT issuance date, whichever occurs first.
As an alternative to the SDI defined in 4.2.3 (for instance, in case of Non Destructive Tooling
(NDT) unavailability), Airbus offers another SDI for disbonding/debond. This alternative must be
accomplished in accordance with 4.2.4 within two hundred (200) FC from AOT issuance date or
within three (3) months from AOT issuance date, whichever occurs first.
- In case of finding after GVI, perform a SDI for disbonding/debond in accordance with 4.2.3 before
next flight.
As an alternative to the SDI defined in 4.2.3 (for instance, in case of Non Destructive Tooling
(NDT) unavailability), Airbus offers another SDI for disbonding/debond. This alternative must be
accomplished in accordance with 4.2.4 within two hundred (200) FC from AOT issuance date or
within three (3) months from AOT issuance date, whichever occurs first.
4.1.2 MANPOWER
The estimated time to perform the inspection required in paragraph 4.2.2 is 0.5 man-hour per side shell.
The inspection can be performed by one person.
The estimated time to perform the inspection required in paragraph 4.2.3 is 1.5 man-hours per side shell.
The estimated time to perform the inspection required in paragraph 4.2.4 is 6 man-hours per side shell.
4.2 DESCRIPTION
4.2.1 ACCESS
WARNING:
PUT THE SAFETY DEVICES AND THE WARNING NOTICES IN POSITION BEFORE YOU START A
TASK ON OR NEAR:
- THE FLIGHT CONTROLS
- THE FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES
- THE LANDING GEAR AND THE RELATED DOORS
- COMPONENTS THAT MOVE.
MOVEMENT OF COMPONENTS CAN KILL OR CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS AND/OR CAN
CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE EQUIPMENT.
WARNING:
MAKE SURE THAT THE FLIGHT CONTROL SAFETY-LOCKS AND THE WARNING NOTICES ARE
IN POSITION.
4.2.1.1 GVI access
The operator in charge of the GVI shall be located at the aircraft tail area, identified as position 6 in Figure3.
Figure 3 – Positions for GVI ground inspection
4.2.1.2 SDI access
The use of a cherry picker or an adjustable access platform 12M (40 FT) is requested. It shall be located
at the aircraft tail area, identified as position 6 in Figure 3, as close as possible to the upper rudder area
for inspection, without being in contact with the aircraft.
4.2.2 RC - ONE-TIME GENERAL VISUAL INSPECTION
4.2.2.1 Refer to 4.2.1.1 for access.
4.2.2.2 From the ground, look upward to the rudder tip area, parallel to the rudder skin surfaces.
4.2.2.3 Perform the GVI on LH and RH rudder side shell at the rudder tip area (Figure 2), as per NTM
51-90-00 Ref [4], for sign of surface bulging or skin waviness.
Ensure that light and reflection grant satisfactory results.
4.2.2.4 Perform SDI in accordance with accomplishment timescale in 4.1.1.2.
4.2.3 RC - ONE-TIME SPECIAL DETAILED INSPECTION – WOODPECKER
4.2.3.1 Refer to 4.2.1.2 for the access.
4.2.3.2 Perform the SDI on LH and RH rudder side shell in accordance with NTM 51-10-19-280-801
Ref [5] in the area and following the scan path defined in Figure 4.
Note: The inspection scan path must be parallel to

the spar rivet line.
Note: Calibration must be done in area free of defect
and nearby the area to be inspected
Figure 4 – Woodpecker inspection: calibration point and scan path orientation
4.2.3.3 In case of nil finding:
 Send inspection report form (Appendix 3) to Airbus in accordance with OIT 999.0018/16
Ref [8].
 No further action from this AOT
4.2.3.4 In case of finding:
The repair solution will depend on the damage sizes and location reported (see Figure 5):
Figure 5 – Damage definition and location on shell (No scale)
 If W≤100mm (3.94in):
 If AREA<20000mm2 (31 in2):
- Before next flight perform temporary repair in accordance with
TD/80860982/005/2020#B.
- Within five hundred (500) FC, perform the permanent repair. Contact Airbus
for instructions.
- Send inspection report form (Appendix 3) to Airbus in accordance with OIT
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
- No further action from this AOT
or
- Before next flight perform permanent repair. Contact Airbus for instructions.
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If 20000mm2 (31in2) ≤AREA≤ 30000mm2 (46.50 in2):

- Before next flight perform permanent repair. Contact Airbus instructions.
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If AREA>30000mm2 (46.50in2):
- Before next flight, replace the rudder in accordance with AMM 27-21-41-04
Ref [7].
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If W>100mm (3.94in):
- Before next flight replace the rudder in accordance with Ref [7].
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
4.2.4 RC – REPETITIVE SPECIAL DETAILED INSPECTION – TAP TEST
4.2.4.1 Refer to 4.2.1.2 for the access.
4.2.4.2 Perform the SDI on LH and RH rudder side shell in accordance with NTM 51-10-03 Ref [6]
in the area defined in Figure 2.
4.2.4.3 In case of nil finding:
 After one thousand (1000) FC and before one thousand two hundred (1200) FC from previous
SDI, perform a second SDI in accordance with Ref [6] of the rudder, LH and RH sides, to
detect any sign of disbonding/debond.
 If during the second inspection there is no sign of disbonding/debond:
- Send inspection report form (Appendix 3) to Airbus in accordance with OIT 999.0018/16
Ref [8].
4.2.4.4 In case of finding:
The permanent repair solution will depend on the damage sizes and location reported (see Figure
5):
 If W≤100mm (3.94in):
 If AREA<20000mm2 (31 in2):
- Before next flight perform temporary repair in accordance with
TD/80860982/005/2020#B.
- Within five hundred (500) FC, perform the permanent repair. Contact Airbus
for instructions.
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
or
- Before next flight perform permanent repair. Contact Airbus for instructions.
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If 20000mm2 (31in2) ≤AREA≤ 30000mm2 (46.50 in2):

- Before next flight perform permanent repair. Contact Airbus instructions.
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If AREA>30000mm2 (46.50in2):
- Before next flight, replace the rudder in accordance with AMM 27-21-41-04
Ref [7].
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
 If W>100mm (3.94in):
- Before next flight replace the rudder in accordance with Ref [7].
999.0018/16 Ref [8].
4.3 SPARES AND TOOLING
For woodpecker tooling sourcing refer to Ref [5].
For rudder replacement sourcing, proceed as follow:

• Send the inspection report form (Appendix 3) to Airbus Customer Services through TechRequest on
Airbus World, selecting Engineering Domain, Engineering Support Section and ATA 55-41.
• Once Airbus Customer Services validate the rudder replacement, please contact your Single Point Of
Contact (SPOC) through http://spares.airbus.com on AOG basis for free of charge rudder with Airbus
validation approval.
5. FURTHER INFORMATION
5.1 FOLLOW-UP PLAN
New revision dates of MSB Ref [1] and MSB Ref [2] will be provided through a revision of the Ref [3].
5.2 IMPACTED DOCUMENTATION
None.
6. AOT APPROVAL
The technical content of this document is approved under the authority of the DOA ref.EASA.21J.031.
7. REPORTING
Questions about this AOT are to be addressed to Airbus Customer Services through TechRequest on
Airbus World, selecting Engineering Domain, Engineering Support Section and ATA 55-41.
As per latest reporting policy (Ref to OIT 999.0018/16 Ref [8]), inspection results as per Appendix 3 (with
or without findings) are to be addressed to Airbus Customer Services through the generic e-mail address:
[email protected].
Best Regards,
Christian FREMONT Jean–Pierre GOMEZ

VICE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING SUPPORT VICE PRESIDENT A320 FAMILY
CUSTOMER SERVICES PROGRAMME
CUSTOMER SERVICES
APPENDIX 1 – Rudder configuration PNs Post MSB 55-1052 or Post MSB 55-1059
Rudder PN Post MSB 55-1052 or Post

MSB 55-1059 A/C type
D554-71002-002-00 A319, A320, A321

D554-71002-004-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71002-006-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-002-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-004-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-006-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-008-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-010-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-012-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-014-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71004-016-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71006-100-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71006-102-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71006-104-00 A319, A320, A321
D554-71003-002-00 A318
D554-71003-004-00 A318
D554-71003-006-00 A318
D554-71003-008-00 A318
D554-71003-010-00 A318
D554-71003-012-00 A318
D554-71003-014-00 A318
D554-71005-006-00 A318
D554-71005-008-00 A318
Note: parts numbers of either formats (“-“ included or “-“ not included) are affected.
APPENDIX 2– Inspection Flowchart
Inspection flowchart 1/5
APPENDIX 2 – Inspection Flowchart (CONTINUATION)
APPENDIX 3 – Inspection Report Form (1/2)
A/C INFORMATION:
OPERATOR:
A/C MSN:
A/C REGISTRATION:
RUDDER PN: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SN: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

RUDDER FLIGHT CYCLES:
RUDDER FLIGHT HOURS:
DATE OF INSPECTION:
GENERAL VISUAL INSPECTION RESULT:
Appendix 2 flowchart-1 LH SIDE RH SIDE

BULGING / WAVINESS IDENTIFIED? (Y/N)
WHEN APPLICABLE, SPECIAL DETAILED INSPECTION RESULT (NTM 51-10-19):

DISBONDING / DEBOND IDENTIFIED? (Y/N)
W DISBONDING/DEBOND <mm>
AREA DISBONDING/DEBOND (W x L <mm2>)


APPENDIX 3 – Inspection Report Form (2/2)
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CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE

2 ROND POINT EMILE DEWOITINE

ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT

SUBJECT: ATA 55 – INSPECTION OF RUDDER FOR DISBOND LINKED TO MODIFICATION

AIRCRAFT TYPE: A318,A319,A320,A321

OUR REF.: A55N003-20 Rev 00 dated 15-DEC-2020

15th of December 2020

All A318 post Modification Service Bulletin (MSB) 55-1059 aircraft.

Rudders installed with the two following conditions

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 1 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

Ref [1] applies to A319, A320 and A321 aircraft.

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 2 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

The area to be inspected, on LH side and RH side shells, is defined in Figure 2.

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 3 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

Figure 2 – Inspection area (LH shell view)

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 4 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4. SHORT TERM ACTION

NOTE: This AOT is classified mandatory or expected to be classified mandatory by an Airworthiness

4.1 PLANNING AND MANPOWER

4.1.1 RC - ACCOMPLISHMENT TIMESCALE

4.1.1.1 Step 01:

4.1.1.2 Step 02:

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 5 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4.2.1.1 GVI access

Figure 3 – Positions for GVI ground inspection

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 6 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4.2.1.2 SDI access

4.2.2 RC - ONE-TIME GENERAL VISUAL INSPECTION

4.2.2.1 Refer to 4.2.1.1 for access.

4.2.2.4 Perform SDI in accordance with accomplishment timescale in 4.1.1.2.

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 7 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4.2.3 RC - ONE-TIME SPECIAL DETAILED INSPECTION – WOODPECKER

4.2.3.1 Refer to 4.2.1.2 for the access.

Note: The inspection scan path must be parallel to

Figure 4 – Woodpecker inspection: calibration point and scan path orientation

4.2.3.3 In case of nil finding:

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 8 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4.2.3.4 In case of finding:

Figure 5 – Damage definition and location on shell (No scale)

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 9 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

 If 20000mm2 (31in2) ≤AREA≤ 30000mm2 (46.50 in2):

4.2.4 RC – REPETITIVE SPECIAL DETAILED INSPECTION – TAP TEST

4.2.4.1 Refer to 4.2.1.2 for the access.

4.2.4.3 In case of nil finding:

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 10 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

4.2.4.4 In case of finding:

 If 20000mm2 (31in2) ≤AREA≤ 30000mm2 (46.50 in2):

4.3 SPARES AND TOOLING

For woodpecker tooling sourcing refer to Ref [5].

For rudder replacement sourcing, proceed as follow:

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 11 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020

5.1 FOLLOW-UP PLAN

5.2 IMPACTED DOCUMENTATION

Christian FREMONT Jean–Pierre GOMEZ

AOT ref: A55N003-20 Rev 00 Page 12 of 21 Date: 15-DEC-2020