{"id":"F2005L03973","name":"AD/A320/188 - Fuel System - Twin Motor Low Pressure Valve Actuator","slug":"ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":39862,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005L03973-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Ser","sectionType":"division","heading":"Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/A320/188 | Fuel System - Twin Motor LowPressure Valve Actuator | 1/2006 |\n| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | AIRBUS A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, equipped with Twin Motor Low Pressure (LP) valve actuator Part Number (PN): HTE190001, HTE190001-1 or HTE190001-2.Aircraft delivered after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) and whose MSN is above 2155 are not affected by the requirements of this AD.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Unless already accomplished, inspect the Twin Motor LP Valve Actuators with PN HTE190001, HTE190001-1 or HTE190001-2, in accordance with the instructions of AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A320-28-1122 or later DGAC approved revision, and correct any defects if necessary.Note 1: The Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) has been updated to introduce a systematic check of the length of the Twin Motor LP Valve Actuator locating dowel during installation of PNs HTE190001, HTE190001 -1 or HTE190001-2.Note 2: DGAC AD F-2005-189 EASA reference No 2005-6409 dated 15 November 2005 refers.      |\n| Compliance:    | Within 5000 flight hours or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 January 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |\n| Background:    | On a recent incident on an A340, a LP valve was found partially open whereas the aircraft systems indicated that it was closed.Examination of removed parts revealed that the locating pin (dowel) in the actuator and the slot in the drive valve assembly were damaged.The investigation showed that the locating pin in the actuator was in some cases, due to manufacturing tolerances, too short to engage with the slot, and therefore the correct location of the drive assembly. The incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive assembly does not guarantee complete closure of the valve. |\n\n|     | In this situation, the combination of a fire with rupture of the line between the HP and LP valve would not prevent the fuel from flowing towards the fire. |\n| --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 November 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A320/188","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A320/188","content":"## AD/A320/188","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Fuel System - Twin Motor LowPressure Val","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fuel System - Twin Motor LowPressure Valve Actuator","content":"## Fuel System - Twin Motor Low  \nPressure Valve Actuator","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"1/2006","sectionType":"part","heading":"1/2006","content":"## 1/2006","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD stays within the original safety purpose: to eliminate the risk that a Twin Motor LP valve actuator locating dowel is too short to engage the drive assembly causing incomplete valve closure and consequent fuel flow risk in a fire. The instrument is narrowly targeted at specified actuator part numbers on A318/A319/A320/A321 aircraft (with an explicit MSN-based exclusion) and requires inspection and correction per the manufacturer Service Bulletin. It does not expand the subject matter beyond that technical defect, although it does add an AMM installation check for future actuator installations (a procedural mitigation rather than a scope expansion)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused instrument (single safety issue) with limited scope","Three specific part numbers listed (HTE190001, HTE190001-1, HTE190001-2)","MSN cutoff (aircraft with MSN above 2155 delivered after effective date are excluded), introducing a serial-number based conditional","Mandates compliance to an external document (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122) or later DGAC-approved revision (cross-reference dependency)","Single compliance window with two conditions (5,000 flight hours OR 24 months), a simple disjunctive timing rule","Corrective action phrased as \"correct any defects if necessary\" — introduces variable outcomes depending on inspection results","Notes pointing to AMM update and a foreign regulator AD (DGAC/EASA), meaning operational procedures and international regulator guidance are relevant"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires operators of certain Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 aircraft to inspect specific Twin Motor Low Pressure (LP) valve actuators (part numbers HTE190001, HTE190001-1 or HTE190001-2) and fix any defects found. (Requirement section.)\n\n- The inspection must follow the instructions in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122 (or a later revision approved by the French regulator, DGAC). If the inspection finds defects, those defects must be corrected as instructed by the Service Bulletin. (Requirement section.)\n\n- Aircraft with manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) above 2155 delivered after the AD’s effective date are excluded from the AD’s requirements. (Applicability section.)\n\n- Operators must comply within 5,000 flight hours or 24 months after the AD’s effective date, whichever comes first. (Compliance section.)\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Affected parties are the owners/operators and maintenance organisations for Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 aeroplanes that are fitted with the listed actuator part numbers and have MSNs at or below 2155. (Applicability section.)\n\n- Maintenance providers who perform the inspection and any necessary repairs or part replacements will carry out the work to the Airbus Service Bulletin instructions. (Requirement section.)\n\n**Why this matters (stated purpose and technical mechanism)**\n\n- The AD responds to an incident (on an A340) where an LP fuel valve was found partially open despite cockpit indications showing it closed. Examination showed damage to the actuator locating dowel (pin) and to the mating slot in the drive valve assembly. (Background section.)\n\n- The investigation concluded that, because the locating dowel on some actuators could be too short due to manufacturing tolerances, the actuator could fail to engage properly with the drive assembly. That incorrect alignment can prevent the LP valve from fully closing; in a fire scenario where the high-pressure (HP) line ruptures, incomplete closure of the LP valve could allow fuel to flow toward the fire. (Background section.)\n\n**How the AD changes behaviour and who bears the costs/benefits**\n\n- Operators must schedule inspections within the stated compliance window and, where defects exist, perform corrective work (repair or replacement) per the Service Bulletin. That imposes direct costs: labour, any replacement parts, and aircraft downtime while work is done. (Compliance & Requirement sections.)\n\n- The AD also notes that the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) has been updated to introduce a systematic check of the locating dowel length during installation of these actuators — this is a procedural change to prevent reoccurrence on future installations. (Requirement note 1.)\n\n- The primary benefit is the reduction of the specific safety risk identified (potential fuel flow during a fire if the LP valve does not close). The cost is concentrated on affected operators who must carry out inspections and fixes; the safety benefit accrues to operators, crews, passengers and the broader public who would be exposed to the risk. (Background & Requirement sections.)\n\n**Regulatory and implementation points to note**\n\n- The AD mandates compliance to a manufacturer Service Bulletin or a later DGAC-approved revision. That ties the method of compliance to the manufacturer’s technical instructions and to any regulator-approved updates. (Requirement section.)\n\n- The AD cross-references a DGAC (French) AD and EASA reference, indicating international regulator coordination; operators will need to follow the approved revision of the Service Bulletin indicated by their competent authority. (Requirement note 2.)\n\n- There is a clear cutoff based on MSN: aircraft delivered after the effective date with MSN above 2155 are out of scope. That narrows the fleet subject to inspection. (Applicability section.)\n\n**Trade-offs, incentives and implementation risks**\n\n- Incentives: Operators face an incentive to inspect and repair promptly (to comply and remove safety risk), but may trade inspection timing against operational demands because the compliance window allows up to 5,000 flight hours or 24 months. (Compliance section.)\n\n- Opportunity cost: Scheduling inspections uses hangar time and resources that could otherwise be used for other maintenance or revenue flights. Parts supply constraints (if replacements are needed) could lengthen downtime. (Requirement & Compliance implications.)\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and compliance burden: The AD delegates technical detail to the Airbus Service Bulletin and to regulator approval of later revisions. That reduces flexibility for operators to vary inspection technique but ensures a common technical standard; it also creates dependence on the manufacturer and regulator for acceptable corrective actions. (Requirement section.)\n\n- Unintended consequences: If parts or qualified repair capacity are limited, operators might defer other maintenance or face increased operating costs. The AD itself does not expand to other components or airframe types beyond the stated actuator PNs and MSN range. (Applicability and Requirement sections.)\n\n**Where to look in the document**\n\n- Applicability: which aircraft and parts are covered, and MSN exclusion.\n- Requirement: what inspections and corrective actions must be done and the Service Bulletin reference.\n- Compliance: the inspection deadline (5,000 FH or 24 months).\n- Background: technical cause and safety rationale.\n\n(Sections referenced: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background.)"},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific manufacturing defect in a specific fuel valve component on specific Airbus aircraft models. There is no evidence of scope creep; the directive remains tightly focused on the safety issue identified in the A340 incident."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with clear applicability criteria","Only 3 part numbers specified for affected components","Straightforward compliance timeline (5000 flight hours OR 24 months)","Single cross-reference to Airbus Service Bulletin and French aviation authority (DGAC) directive","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — only one exemption based on aircraft serial number","Short document (approximately 300 words of substantive content)","Minimal defined terms (only standard aviation abbreviations like PN, MSN, AMM, SB)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that requires specific inspections or repairs on certain aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nThis directive orders owners and operators of specific Airbus aircraft (A318, A319, A320, and A321 models) to inspect a particular fuel valve component called the **Twin Motor Low Pressure (LP) Valve Actuator**. The concern is that a small metal pin (called a \"locating dowel\") inside this actuator may be too short due to manufacturing defects. If the pin is too short, it can damage the valve and prevent it from closing completely.\n\n**Why this matters:**\nIf the valve doesn't fully close during a fire emergency, fuel could continue flowing toward the fire even when the system indicates the valve is shut. This creates a serious fire hazard.\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- **Aircraft affected:** Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 planes equipped with specific part numbers of the Twin Motor LP Valve Actuator (HTE190001, HTE190001-1, or HTE190001-2)\n- **Exemption:** Newer aircraft (manufactured after this directive took effect with serial numbers above 2155) are already fixed and don't need inspection\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must inspect the valve actuators following Airbus's official repair instructions (Service Bulletin A320-28-1122) and fix any problems found. They have **5,000 flight hours or 24 months** (whichever comes first) from January 19, 2006 to complete this.\n\n**The background:**\nThis rule was triggered by an incident on an Airbus A340 where a fuel valve appeared closed on cockpit instruments but was actually partially open. Investigation revealed the locating pin was too short to properly engage with the valve mechanism, causing misalignment."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator","history":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a320-188-fuel-system-twin-motor-low-pressure-valve-actuator/documents"}}