Reason:
Analysis and laboratory testing of the behaviour of the flight control laws of the A320neo identified
a reduced efficiency of the angle of attack protection when the aeroplane is set in certain flight
configurations and in combination with specific manoeuvres commanded by the flight crew, as
described through Section 2 of Airbus Flight Operations Transmission (FOT) 999.0059/19.
This condition, although never encountered during operations, if not corrected, could lead to
excessive pitch attitude, possibly resulting in increased flight crew workload.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the applicable AFM TR, limiting the CG
envelope, which prevents the aforementioned condition, and the FOT 999.0059/19, providing
aeroplane loading recommendations. Consequently, EASA issued AD 2019-0189 to require
amendment of the applicable AFM by incorporating the applicable AFM TR for Group 1 aeroplanes
(see Note 2 of this AD).
Since that AD was issued, Airbus designed mod 163923, introducing the ELAC L103 Part Number
3945129115 (data loadable), which allows operating the aeroplane within a new CG envelope.
Airbus issued SB A320-27-1284 revision 1, providing instructions for ELAC update and clarifying
impact on AFM, and FOT 999.0012/20, providing additional information for AFM update.
For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2019-0189, which is
superseded, expands the applicability to allow all the aircraft models affected by the issue to take
advantage of the ELAC L103, and introduces reference to the ELAC 103 CG envelope.