CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE AIRBUS

1 ROND POINT MAURICE BELLONTE

31707 BLAGNAC CEDEX FRANCE
TELEPHONE + 33 (0)5 61 93 33 33
TELEX AIRBU 530526F SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER

SUBJECT: Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) Pipe Leaks in V2500-A1 Engines

ATA CHAPTER: 29

AIRCRAFT TYPE: A320

APPLICABILITY: A320-231

REFERENCES: IPC 29-11-06 Fig 2C item 120

IPC 29-13-06 Fig 2C item 120
SB A320-29-1138
MPD Task 290000-06-1

1. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this SIL is to advise operators of A320 aircraft equipped with V2500-A1 Engines
of recent reports of HCU pipe failure resulting in hydraulic leaks, and to propose a solution to
prevent further events.

SIL NUMBER: 29-083

PAGE: 1 of 2
DATE: July 01/2005
REVISION: Mar 11/2008
 AIRBUS

SERVICE INFORMATION LETTER

2. BACKGROUND:

Some cases of HCU pipes PN D2901010200400 failure have been reported to Airbus. These pipes
are fitted in the pylons of A320 aircraft equipped with V2500-A1 Engines.

3. DESCRIPTION:

Affected HCU pipes were investigated and it was demonstrated that the pipe failed due to a
circumferential crack. The crack resulted from fatigue fracture, originating from the outer side, next
to the welding. No pipe irregularities were identified on pipe material (chemical composition), pipe
hardness, pipe welding, surface roughness, swaging groove deepness.

4. AIRBUS ACTION:

To prevent further pipe failure, Airbus recommended through first issue of SIL29-083, to perform
a pipe preventive replacement once 25000FH are reached.
However, premature failures have also been reported by some operators just after pipe
replacement. In depth investigation has demonstrated that the pipe failure is due to very high
stress at the failure location. Therefore a new pipe with Permaswage fitting has been developed in
order to prevent further pipe failure.

Service Bulletin SB A320-29-1138 has been issued to propose the installation of this new
Permaswage fitting pipe as final solution. This cancels pipe preventive replacement every 25000
FH or 166 Months as requested in MPD Task 290000-06-1.

5. MODIFICATION INFORMATION:

38260

6. MATERIAL:

N/A

7. PROCUREMENT:

N/A

SIL NUMBER: 29-083

PAGE: 2 of 2
DATE: July 01/2005
REVISION: Mar 11/2008