AD-2005-06-06. Additional Information.
This U.S. AD references a French AD (F-2004-019). There are differences;
1. The French AD was issued 14 months earlier and requires compliance 13 months earlier that the U.S. AD.
2. The French AD is more detailed than the U.S AD which said; “was prompted by a report of an explosion in the APU compartment which blew open the compartment doors …. (and that) “an electric arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU compartment during flight”.
3. The French AD added; “The aircraft tail cone structure and the left elevator surface had been damaged” …. (and that) “During flight, such event could lead to the loss of the APU doors in flight and could cause damage to the aircraft, and/or hazard to persons or property on the ground.”
REFERENCES
AD- 2005-06-06. Effective Date; This AD becomes effective April 22, 2005. Compliance By; Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD (Dec 22, 2006).
Unsafe Condition; (d) This AD was prompted by a report of an explosion in the APU compartment which blew open the compartment doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent oil vapor leakage from the APU AC generator, which, when combined with an electric arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU compartment during flight.
Modification; (f) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the APU AC generator by doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320- 24-1106, Revision 01, dated May 13, 2004.
Related Information; (i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-019, dated February 4, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
AD link > http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgad.nsf/0/ebbdfcf90f1708d186256fc800519f60/$FILE/2005-06-06.pdf
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FRENCH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE F-2004-019.Effective Date; Feb 4, 2004. Compliance by; Before October 30, 2005.
(Ed Notes; Effective date; 14 months earlier. Compliance By date; 13 months earlier than AD-2005—06-06).
“REASONS: One operator reported a blast in the APU compartment during passengers disembarking, that blew open the APU compartment doors.
The aircraft tail cone structure and the left elevator surface had been damaged.
Analyses revealed, that due to vibrations in APU AC generators, the electrical receptacle retaining bolts loosened, leading to oil vapor leakage. This leakage associated with an electrical arc at the level of the electrical receptacle is at the origin of the blast.
During flight, such event could lead to the loss of the APU doors in flight and could cause damage to the aircraft, and/or hazard to persons or property on the ground.
French AD Link > http://www.caa.si/fileadmin/user_upl...004-019_B_.pdf.