A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While descending via the RNAV arrival; the autopilot disconnected; and we received several ECAM nonnormal messages; including ELAC 1 Pitch Fault and ELAC 2 Pitch Fault. While performing the nonnormal methodology; another ECAM; FCTL Stabilizer Jam appeared. Also; the aircraft reverted to Alternate Law; which reverted to Direct Law when the gear was extended. [We] declared emergency with ATC. Contacted Dispatch and Maintenance Control via phone patch. Landed uneventfully on the longer runway; and when clear of the runway; terminated the emergency; and taxied to the gate without incident. There were flight control issues which generated the electronic checklist.
Reporter states that the QRH directs testing the manual pitch trim wheel and it was found to be operational but attempts to reset ELAC 1 and 2 were unsuccessful. The flying qualities of the aircraft in Direct Law were much improved from what was expected from simulator training. This aircraft had been written up previously for a similar incident. Maintenance was reportedly focusing their attention on sensors and the stabilizer jackscrew.
A321 Captain experiences autopilot disconnect followed by ECAM messages for ELAC 1 and 2 Pitch Faults. While preforming ECAM actions another ECAM message appears for FCTL Stabilizer Jam appeared. An emergency is declared and flight continues to a flaps 3 landing on the longer runway.