EASA AD No.

: 2022-0039

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2022-0039
Issued: 08 March 2022
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

AIRBUS A330 and A340 aeroplanes

Effective Date: 22 March 2022

TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.004, EASA.A.015
Foreign AD: Not applicable
Supersedure: None

ATA 27 – Flight Controls – Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator / Electric Load

Sensing Device – Modification

Manufacturer(s):
Airbus, formerly Airbus Industrie

Applicability:
Airbus A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-223F, A330-243, A330-243F, A330-301,
A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, and A330-
941 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to MSN 1919 inclusive, except MSN
1915; and

Airbus A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312 and A340-313 aeroplanes, all MSN.

Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

The SB1: Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A330-27-3237 and SB A340-27-4213, as applicable.

The SB2: Airbus SB A330-27-3234 and SB A340-27-4214, as applicable.

The RDAF: Airbus Repair and Design Approval Form (RDAF) 80874366/013/2021#A for A330
aeroplanes or RDAF 80874366/022/2021#A for A340 aeroplanes, as applicable.

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Groups: Group 1 aeroplanes are all MSN up to MSN 1789 inclusive.

Group 2 aeroplanes are MSN 1790 to 1919 inclusive.

Reason:
The upper and lower attachments of the Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator (THSA) have a
primary load path (PLP) and a secondary load path (SLP), the latter of which is only engaged in case
of PLP failure. When the SLP is engaged, the THSA should stall, and an indication should be provided
to the flight crew, activated by position monitoring. It has been demonstrated by recent tests that,
when the upper SLP is engaged, the unit might not stall, with consequently no indication of SLP
engagement.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage on the upper THSA SLP attachment, with
consequent mechanical disconnection of the THSA, possibly resulting in loss of control of the
aeroplane.

To initially address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus developed a method to inspect the upper
THSA attachments parts and the PLP and SLP fuselage attachment points, and EASA issued
AD 2017-0044 to require those repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, accomplishment
of applicable corrective action(s). That AD was later cancelled, as the requirements were transferred
into the applicable Airworthiness Limitation Sections (ALS) for the affected type designs, for which
EASA published AD 2019-0047 and AD 2019-0048.

Since those ADs were issued, Airbus designed an Electric Load Sensing Device (ELSD), to detect the
engagement on the SLP even in absence of a THSA stall. Consequently, Airbus published the SB1,
providing instructions for installation of the ELSD wiring provisions, and the SB2, providing
instructions for ELSD installation and activation.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires to modify the THSA installation, implementing
ELSD wiring provision and installing and activating the ELSD.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Modification(s):
Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:

(1) For Group 1 aeroplanes: Install the wiring for the ELSD in accordance with the instructions of
the SB1 and the RDAF (for aeroplanes to which the RDAF applies).

(2) For Group 1 and Group 2 aeroplanes: Install and activate the ELSD in accordance with the
instructions of the SB2.

Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A330-27-3234 original issue dated 05 March 2019 and Revision 01 dated 12 October
2020.

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Airbus SB A330-27-3237 original issue dated 12 October 2020 (or any revision that contains the
content of the RDAF).

Airbus SB A340-27-4213 original issue dated 12 October 2020 (or any revision that contains the
content of the RDAF).

Airbus SB A340-27-4214 original issue dated 12 October 2020.

Airbus RDAF 80874366/013/2021#A dated 12 February 2021.

Airbus RDAF 80874366/022/2021#A dated 19 April 2021.

The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned documents is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 04 May 2021 as PAD 21-066 for consultation until 01 June 2021. The
Comment Response Document can be found in the EASA Safety Publications Tool, in the
compressed (zipped) file attached to the record for this PAD.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: [email protected].

4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on
a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety
reporting system. This may include reporting on the same or similar components, other than
those covered by the design to which this AD applies, if the same unsafe condition can exist or
may develop on an aircraft with those components installed. Such components may be
installed under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) or other modification.

5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: AIRBUS – Airworthiness Office – IIAL; E-mail: [email protected].

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