{"id":"F2006B01870","name":"AD/A320/123 - Ram Air Turbine Actuator","slug":"ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41066,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01870-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nAirbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A320/123 Ram Air Turbine Actuator 10/","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A320/123 Ram Air Turbine Actuator 10/2001","content":"# AD/A320/123 Ram Air Turbine Actuator 10/2001\n\nApplicability: A319 and A321 Series aircraft and A320 series aircraft incorporating Airbus Industrie Modification 27189 (Installation of A319/A321 configuration RAT).\n\nRequirement: Replace the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1098.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 2001-236(B) refers.\n\nCompliance: No later than 31 May 2003.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 October 2001.\n\nBackground: During an operational test of the RAT it did not deploy. Investigation revealed machining chips from manufacture found in the end cap were jamming the actuator.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 August 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific unsafe condition in a specific aircraft component. The scope remains precisely limited to the RAT actuator replacement on affected Airbus models, consistent with the original purpose of ADs."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 1 defined term (RAT - ram air turbine, explained in context)","Single, unambiguous requirement with clear applicability criteria","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Only 1 cross-reference (to French aviation authority DGAC AD 2001-236(B) and Airbus Service Bulletin)","Clear compliance date with no alternative methods or escalations"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's aviation regulator (CASA) that requires aircraft owners and operators to fix a specific mechanical problem.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders the replacement of a faulty **ram air turbine (RAT) actuator** on certain Airbus aircraft. The RAT is an emergency power device — a small turbine that drops down from the aircraft in flight to generate electricity if the main engines fail. The actuator is the mechanical component that deploys it.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of **Airbus A319, A320, and A321 series aircraft** that have a specific modification (Modification 27189) installing the A319/A321 configuration RAT\n- This covers airlines and operators flying these aircraft in Australia\n\n**Why it matters:**\nDuring testing, a RAT failed to deploy because **metal chips left over from manufacturing were jamming the actuator**. If the RAT doesn't deploy during an emergency, the aircraft could lose critical electrical and hydraulic power when it needs it most. This directive forces operators to replace the faulty part before a deadline to prevent potential catastrophe.\n\n**Key deadlines:**\n- **Effective date:** 4 October 2001 (when the order becomes active)\n- **Compliance deadline:** 31 May 2003 (last day to complete the fix)\n\n**What must be done:**\nReplace the RAT actuator following the specific instructions in **Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098** (the manufacturer's official repair guide)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope is confined to the aircraft types and modification listed in 'Applicability' and to replacing the RAT actuator per the Airbus Service Bulletin. This aligns with the stated unsafe condition (manufacturing chips jamming the actuator) described in 'Background', with no indication in the text that the scope expands beyond that original corrective intent."},"complexity_factors":["Limited technical scope — single component (RAT actuator) and one corrective action: replacement per Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1098 (Requirement).","Narrow applicability — only A319 and A321, and A320s with Airbus Modification 27189 (Applicability).","Clear compliance timeline — effective date 4 October 2001 and mandatory compliance by 31 May 2003 (Compliance; effective date).","Regulatory basis explicitly stated — issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998 and signed by CASA delegate (opening paragraph; signature).","Root cause and trigger are specific — manufacturing machining chips jamming the actuator discovered during an operational test (Background).","Cross-reference to a foreign authority — Note referring to DGAC AD 2001-236(B) adds an external compliance/contextual reference (Note).","Implementation burden falls on aircraft operators/owners who must arrange and pay for the replacement and follow the Airbus Service Bulletin (Requirement; Applicability)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What it does:** This directive orders owners/operators of Airbus A319 and A321 aircraft, and A320 aircraft fitted with Airbus Modification 27189, to replace the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator following Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098. **Why it matters:** CASA requires the replacement because machining chips were found jamming an actuator during a test. The directive sets a legal compliance deadline of 31 May 2003 and takes effect from 4 October 2001."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator","history":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a320-123-ram-air-turbine-actuator/documents"}}