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Old 3rd Oct 2013, 14:52
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SMOC
 
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If the FCC detects a disagreement between the autopilot clutch and the autopilot selection, the FCC will command the respective main valve solenoid to close, thus depressurizing that channel of the autopilot actuator.
The examinations revealed two main findings: (1) the wiring to the two main valve solenoids had been cross-connected, and (2) a foreign-particle contaminant was found in the green system engagement valve solenoid.
Examination of the actuator at the Lucas facility revealed that its two main valve solenoids were cross-connected so that the electrical connection for the yellow system was connected to the green system solenoid, and vice versa. In this configuration, the FCC for the green system would actually control the main valve for the yellow system, and the FCC for the yellow system would control the main valve for the green system.
After the cross-connected wiring on N7082A was discovered, Airbus issued an All Operators Telex (AOT) on May 27, 1999, to all operators of Airbus A300, A310, and A300-600 airplanes. The AOT specified that a one-time inspection be conducted within 10 days to confirm proper connection of the main valve solenoids.
As a result of the AOT checks, another American A300-600 (N3075A) autopilot yaw actuator (S/N 1630) was discovered with cross-connected autopilot solenoid wiring. American indicated that it had installed new solenoids on the three actuators (pitch, roll, and yaw) on this airplane and the rest of its A300 fleet between July 1997 and July 1999. At the time the new solenoids were installed, procedures did not specifically include a check to ensure that the solenoid wiring was installed properly. Both Airbus and Lucas have since developed new procedures to ensure that the autopilot actuator solenoids are properly wired.
Lucas Aerospace, which is now known as TRW Aeronautical Systems obviously builds parts for Boeing and others as well.

And as stated above nothing to do with yaw dampers.

Last edited by SMOC; 3rd Oct 2013 at 14:58.
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