A320
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Manuals; Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
During replacement the rod ends are removed from the [Elevator] Servo-control and sent to Inspection for a [special] procedure; via our Remove and Replace (R/R) Parts Tag. The rod ends are returned with the 'Inspection Only' block stamped. The Job Instruction Card (JIC) has provision for re-installation of the rod end if passed inspection; or installation of Serviceable rod end if failed [inspection]. The installation procedure has you ensure all parts removed and retained are in Serviceable condition. There is no information available to Maintenance staff that can ensure Serviceability is met. This would be the job of a Home Shop [where Component Maintenance Manuals (CMM) are available]. The [JIC] Card cautions that no deviations are allowed due to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-19-04 requirements. We are being pressured to ignore the cautions and instructions [of the Job Cards] by the supervisors; as they feel they are clear and concise. Engineering was contacted months ago and we still have concerns with this maintenance procedure. [Recommend] eliminate all Serviceability instructions for the Mechanic's determinations. Create a Home Shop for the rod ends. Have the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Inspector stamp the R/R Tag in the made 'Serviceable' block rather than the 'Specified Repairs' completed block.
An Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports Technicians are being pressured by their Maintenance supervisors to ignore the 'Cautions and 'Instruction' requirements in their Job Cards for Serviceability of all parts removed and retained during Elevator Servo-control Unit replacements on A320 aircraft. Lack of adequate information to ensure Serviceability and strict requirements of Airworthiness Directive AD 2011-19-04 for Elevator Servo-control rod ends were also raised.