A330 EDP Overheat Procedure
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Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Sunny Bay
A330 EDP Overheat Procedure
Lets say you have a Blue Pump Overheat with associated ECAM to switch it off.
Then lets say the overheat message goes out after 20 minutes. By now you are configured for approach and all associated checklists have been performed.
The ECAM Status Page suggests you can turn the pump back on.
Would you hesitate to do it, or happily do it?
Would you be concerned about a second overheat, and - who knows - maybe something worse as a result?
Does the risk outweigh the benefit?
Opinions welcome!
Then lets say the overheat message goes out after 20 minutes. By now you are configured for approach and all associated checklists have been performed.
The ECAM Status Page suggests you can turn the pump back on.
Would you hesitate to do it, or happily do it?
Would you be concerned about a second overheat, and - who knows - maybe something worse as a result?
Does the risk outweigh the benefit?
Opinions welcome!

Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Wanderlust
As long as all procedures from STS have been performed you should turn it on. Nothing worse than overheat coming on again can happen. Since you are already configured for approach if it comes on again put the pump off again asked by ECAM, clear ECAM and status and continue with approach and landing.
Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Sunny Bay
How do you know that? What was the cause of the original overheat? Suppose a bearing in the pump has gone, or the lubrication system has failed and the pump is grinding metal on metal?
A Yellow Electric Pump O/H has burnt at least one A330 to the ground. Hydraulic fires can happen. You got away with it once - why take a second chance?
What if you put it on, set up for a 'normal' landing and it goes again?
Go Around and repeat the whole procedure again?
A Yellow Electric Pump O/H has burnt at least one A330 to the ground. Hydraulic fires can happen. You got away with it once - why take a second chance?
What if you put it on, set up for a 'normal' landing and it goes again?
Go Around and repeat the whole procedure again?
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: N5109.2W10.5
A Yellow Electric Pump O/H has burnt at least one A330 to the ground.
Would you not have turned on the yellow pump in this scenario?
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...EZDM_08-09.pdf
Last edited by Goldenrivett; 31st May 2014 at 16:22. Reason: flightglobal link
Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Sunny Bay
It's rather like the old CB reset attitude.
A CB pops - "give in two minutes cooling, then reset it". Remember that?
Then there were lots of fires when the CB's failed the second time, or when overheated wiring caught fire on second power application.
Now the policy is - "it popped for a reason, don't tempt fate".
The CB's have been removed from the cockpits of Airbus a/c.
Yet we are told to reset a hydraulic pump after an overheat for unknown cause.
In an extreme emergency you may have no choice.
In a stabilised scenario, why risk a fire or further damage?
A CB pops - "give in two minutes cooling, then reset it". Remember that?
Then there were lots of fires when the CB's failed the second time, or when overheated wiring caught fire on second power application.
Now the policy is - "it popped for a reason, don't tempt fate".
The CB's have been removed from the cockpits of Airbus a/c.
Yet we are told to reset a hydraulic pump after an overheat for unknown cause.
In an extreme emergency you may have no choice.
In a stabilised scenario, why risk a fire or further damage?

Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Wanderlust
Killaroo
The feeling I get is you are not asking but telling something. You should tell this to AIRBUS through your company only they can examine all the angles.There can be an unending discussion and still you will not be sure of being correct.
The feeling I get is you are not asking but telling something. You should tell this to AIRBUS through your company only they can examine all the angles.There can be an unending discussion and still you will not be sure of being correct.
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: N5109.2W10.5
Yet we are told to reset a hydraulic pump after an overheat for unknown cause.
However, you do not physically "turn off" an EDP. It will continue to rotate until either the drive shaft shears, or the engine is shut down. See http://www.eaton.com
When you "turn off" an EDP, you move the "yoke" (wobble plate) to a position where the delivery volume is zero. If you are concerned about
a bearing in the pump has gone, or the lubrication system has failed and the pump is grinding metal on metal?
Last edited by Goldenrivett; 1st June 2014 at 16:01. Reason: Typos
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From: Australia
"Let's say you have a Blue Pump overheat......."
Ahhhh I've looked through all of the A330 FCOM Abnormal and Emergency section for Hydraulics and there is no ECAM for a EDP overheat....( to be honest I don't know why there wouldn't be an ECAM but I couldn't find one? )
There are ECAMS for Green Blue or Yellow RSVR overheats.
The status page will show depending on which system----
APPR PROC-- IF OVHT OUT: ENG PUMP 1 and or 2..............................................ON
IF HYD NOT RECOVERED: LDG DIST PROC............................................APPLY
Ahhhh I've looked through all of the A330 FCOM Abnormal and Emergency section for Hydraulics and there is no ECAM for a EDP overheat....( to be honest I don't know why there wouldn't be an ECAM but I couldn't find one? )
There are ECAMS for Green Blue or Yellow RSVR overheats.
The status page will show depending on which system----
APPR PROC-- IF OVHT OUT: ENG PUMP 1 and or 2..............................................ON
IF HYD NOT RECOVERED: LDG DIST PROC............................................APPLY
Last edited by nitpicker330; 1st June 2014 at 08:48.

Joined: Dec 1998
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From: .
FAULT -- Illuminates with ECAM message for:
1. Reservoir Low Level
2. Reservoir Overheat
3. Reservoir Low Air Pressure
4. Pump Low Pressure (inhibited on ground, engine stopped)
The Light extinguishes when the Switch is selected OFF, except for an Overheat -- stays illuminated as long as condition exists
1. Reservoir Low Level
2. Reservoir Overheat
3. Reservoir Low Air Pressure
4. Pump Low Pressure (inhibited on ground, engine stopped)
The Light extinguishes when the Switch is selected OFF, except for an Overheat -- stays illuminated as long as condition exists
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: N5109.2W10.5
Killaroo
Correct. Unless the cause of the original overheat problem has been removed (e.g. PTU selected off in post #5), then the system is likely to overheat again. See hydraulic-overheating
In which case, simply turn the pump off again (to off load the system), and continue the approach (having made the appropriate landing distance correction beforehand.) You can't be any worse off.
Edit. See interesting fact sheet on Skydrol fire resistance.
http://www.skydrol.com
BUT the pump is offload when switched off. That may make all the difference.
In which case, simply turn the pump off again (to off load the system), and continue the approach (having made the appropriate landing distance correction beforehand.) You can't be any worse off.
Edit. See interesting fact sheet on Skydrol fire resistance.
http://www.skydrol.com
Last edited by Goldenrivett; 2nd June 2014 at 09:34. Reason: Skydrol link
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Uh... Where was I?
It is a master caution, right? All you have to do is isolate the failure and you are not going to die.
Switch is on for the approach. In case it overheats again, isolate it once more and that's it. You already prepared for the landing distance and everything, so relax and enjoy.
Switch is on for the approach. In case it overheats again, isolate it once more and that's it. You already prepared for the landing distance and everything, so relax and enjoy.
Joined: Oct 1998
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From: CGK to HKG
EDP Pump
Suppose a bearing in the pump has gone, or the lubrication system has failed and the pump is grinding metal on metal?
If you had a bearing failure and or grinding meat on metal then the EDP quill shaft will be shearing very soon and so disconnect that pump from the gearbox permanently.





