Hydraulic Power — Ram Air Turbine Actuator — Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft must replace the specified RAT actuators within three months of 12 December 2018, following Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1175 Revision 01 or the Aircraft Maintenance Manual instructions. After replacement, a report must be submitted to Airbus within 30 days. Alternative methods of compliance may be approved by EASA if properly substantiated.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0256 is an airworthiness directive addressing the replacement of Ram Air Turbine (RAT) actuators, part number 764711C, on Airbus A320-214, A320-232, A320-233, A321-211, and A321-231 aircraft with specific manufacturer serial numbers. The directive mandates replacement of affected RAT actuators due to a manufacturing defect that could prevent RAT deployment. This AD applies to certain Airbus A320 and A321 models and aims to ensure continued safe operation of these aircraft.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0256 introduces a mandatory replacement requirement for specific RAT actuators that failed acceptance tests due to improper deburring causing hydraulic blockage. It requires operators to replace affected parts with serviceable ones within three months of the effective date. The directive also accepts previous replacements done according to earlier service bulletins as compliance.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because failure of the RAT actuator can lead to loss of emergency hydraulic power and reduced aircraft control during critical situations. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure timely compliance to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance. The AD helps prevent potential in-flight emergencies related to RAT deployment failure.
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