March 2014
Airbus Customer Services
Engineering & Maintenance
Maintenance Briefing
Note
Few millimetre causing emergency…
Paying attention to detail and following procedures for even
perceived “simple” maintenance tasks can avoid in-flight
emergency.
This Maintenance Briefing Notes provides an example.
March 2014
Maintenance Briefing Note
• What happened?
The following report was received by an A320 Family operator:
Cabin crew reported excessive strong smell like electrical burning in the forward lavatory.
As the cockpit door was opened, the cockpit crew confirmed the smell and declared a
Pan Pan.
Some cabin attendants in the forward galley became sick, used the portable oxygen, and
were taken to the hospital after landing.
• Why did it happen?
On ground, the electrical burning smell was confirmed. Several detailed inspections were
performed of the water heater, and the wiring above and behind the toilet, without
findings.
Finally, during the inspection of the wiring below the cabin floor between Frame 10 and
Frame 20, damage was discovered to the insulation of the feeder cable. Investigation
showed that when installing the floor panel immediately above the feeder cable an
incorrect length screw was used.
With time, the screw perforated the insulation of the feeder cable leading to a short
circuit. The heat led to degradation of the insulation of the feeder cable, it being
concluded that this was likely the cause of the electrical smell.
Page 2
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.
March 2014
Maintenance Briefing Note
Perforated feeder cable
• Lessons learned
The event described in tis Maintenance Briefing Note is not an unique event. Airbus
has been informed of several cases where incorrect length screws (either too long or
too short) have been used, with considerable repercussions on the subsequent
operation of the aircraft.
In case of a short circuit, the corresponding circuit breaker will activate.
One may think that: “…Better take the screw which is a bit longer, than too short…”,
but this event confirms that even when completing perceived “simple tasks”, that it is
essential that reference is made to the Technical Data Documentation, and that the
correct part numbers (including length of screws) are strictly adhered to.
In this particular case, the correct screw part numbers are provided with the Illustrated
Parts Catalogue (IPC) chapter 25-41-01.
Page 3
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.
March 2014
© Airbus S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document. This document and all information contained herein is the sole property of AIRBUS. No intellectual property rights
are granted by the delivery of this document or the disclosure of its content. This document shall not be reproduced or disclosed to a third party without the express written consent of AIRBUS
S.A.S. This document and its content shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied. The statements made herein do not constitute an offer. They are based on the
mentioned assumptions and are expressed in good faith. Where the supporting grounds for these statements are not shown, AIRBUS S.A.S. will be pleased to explain the basis thereof.
AIRBUS, its logo, A300, A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A350, A380, A400M are registered trademarks.
We appreciate receiving feedback to this issue of the Maintenance Briefing Notes.
Uwe Eggerling
Senior Director Safety
Engineering & Maintenance
Customer Services
[email protected]
This Maintenance Briefing Note (MBN) is part of a set of Briefing Notes that provide an overview of the applicable standards, techniques,
best practices, human factors, suggested company prevention strategies and personal lines-of-defense related to major threats and hazards
that may affect maintenance.
This MBN is intended to enhance the reader's safety awareness but it shall not supersede the applicable regulations and the Airbus or
airline's maintenance documentation; should any deviation appear between this MBN and the Airbus or airline’s maintenance
documentation, the latter shall prevail at all times.
In the interest of aviation safety, this MBN may be reproduced in whole or in part - in all media - or translated; any use of this MBN shall not
modify its contents or alter an excerpt from its original context. Any commercial use is strictly excluded. All uses shall credit Airbus.
Airbus shall have no liability or responsibility for the use of this MBN, the correctness of the duplication, adaptation or translation and for
the updating and revision of any duplicated version.
Airbus Customer Services
Maintenance Engineering Services
1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte - 31707 BLAGNAC CEDEX FRANCE
Page 4
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.
