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FAA orders · airworthiness directive · historical

2020-15-09: Flight controls

FAA order 2020-15-09 is an airworthiness directive in force since September 3, 2020. The FAA's subject line: Flight controls. It names Airbus A330: about 153 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Airbus SAS
Models
A330-941
On this site
Airbus A330 153 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
September 3, 2020
Published
July 30, 2020 (signed July 13, 2020)
Docket
FAA-2020-0337
Replaced by
2024-08-05
Status
Historical
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that seven spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) lost hydraulic locking function due to a sheared seal on the blocking valve. This AD requires repetitive operational tests of the hydraulic locking function on each SSC and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (5,655 characters)
Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2020-15-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21172; Docket No. FAA-2020-0337; Product Identifier 2020-NM-044-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective September 3, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that seven spoiler servo- controls (SSCs) lost hydraulic locking function due to a sheared seal on the blocking valve. The FAA is issuing this AD to address loss of hydraulic locking function on the SSCs, which in combination with one engine inoperative at takeoff, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0054, dated March 11, 2020 (''EASA AD 2020-0054''). \n\n(h) Exception to EASA AD 2020-0054 \n\n\n\tThe ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0054 does not apply to this AD. \n\n(i) Other FAA AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\t(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. \n\t(3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0054 that contains RC procedures and tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229; [email protected]. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0054, dated March 11, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For information about EASA AD 2020-0054, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 6017; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0337. \n\t(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on July 13, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-16484 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2017-07-19NM-17-20 · Equipment/Furnishings
2009-06-01NM-09-33 · Flight Control Primary Computer (FCPC)
2008-12-11NM-09-03 · Engine Fuel and Control - Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations
2008-09-03NM-08-43 · Cabin Equipment/Furnishings - Seats
2008-07-02NM-08-31 · Equipment/Furnishings: Non-Textile Floors

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2020-15-09.json · aircraft systems.