A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft
Aircraft exiting a 2 S check at [a contract maintenance] facility. During acceleration climbing above 10;000 feet at 290 knots; we experienced porpoising which became greater with increasing speed. First Officer noticed the left elevator indication moving up and down. We reduced speed to 220 knots; declared an emergency with Center. Returned directly to the airport; landed; cancelled the emergency; and taxied to [contract maintenance] without further incident. TEST FLIGHT FAILED. Probably caused by left elevator servo or actuator (only my opinion.)
A319 Captain performing post maintenance test flight experiences porpoising as the aircraft accelerates to 290 knots. The left elevator is visibly moving on the flight control synoptic page. Airspeed is reduced; an emergency is declared; and flight returns to the departure airport.