AD 2001-08-25 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 Series Airplanes and Airbus Model A340 Series Airplanes

Models named: A330-301, -321, -322, -342 series, A340 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 series airplanes, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3021, Revision 03, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999; and Model A340 series airplanes, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4025, Revision 02, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent fatigue cracking of the airplane wing bottom skin and reinforcing plate due to wing bending, which could lead to reduced structural integrity of the wing, accomplish the following: Modification (a) For Model A330 series airplanes, prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles or 37,300 total flight hours, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. (1) Prior to, or concurrently with, the accomplishment of the tasks required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, replace five existing fillets with five new fillets, one existing firewall with one new firewall, and one existing case drainpipe with one new case drainpipe, and modify the contour milling of the external tip of rib 19A on each of the left and right wing pylons, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3005, Revision 01, dated October 19, 1999. (2) Concurrently with, or subsequent to, the accomplishment of the tasks required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, reinforce the wing structure at the inboard pylon rear pickup area on both wings (including performing high-frequency eddy current rototests, corrective actions if necessary, and installing a larger reinforcing plate and packer plate) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3021, Revision 03, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999. (b) For Model A340 series airplanes, prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total flight cycles or 59,600 total flight hours, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD. (1) Prior to, or concurrently with, the accomplishment of the tasks required by paragraph (b)(2) of this AD, reinforce the wing structure at the inboard pylon rear pickup area of both wings (including performing high-frequency eddy current rototests, corrective actions if necessary, and installing a larger reinforcing plate and packer plate) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4025, Revision 02, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999. (2) Concurrently with, or subsequent to, the accomplishment of the tasks required by paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, replace five existing fillets with five new fillets and one existing firewall with one new firewall on each of the left and right wing inboard pylons, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4003, Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000. (c) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection or rototest required by paragraphs (a)(2) or (b)(1) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish applicable repairs in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3021, Revision 03, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4025, Revision 02, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999 (for Model A340 series airplanes). If the service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for appropriate action: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent). Note 2: Accomplishment of the modifications required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) or paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with the service bulletins listed in Table 1, as follows, is considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions in this AD: Table 1.—Prior Service Bulletins Considered Acceptable for Compliance Model Service bulletin Revision level Date A330 A330-57-3021 Original March 25, 1996.   A330-57-3021 01 September 1, 1998.   A330-57-3021 02 April 9, 1999. A330 A330-54-3005 Original March 25, 1996. A340 A340-57-4025 Original March 25, 1996.   A340-57-4025 01 September 1, 1998. A340 A340-54-4003 Original March 25, 1996. Alternative Methods of Compliance (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. Special Flight Permits (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (f) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions must be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3021, Revision 03, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4025, Revision 02, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated November 5, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3005, Revision 01, dated October 19, 1999; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4003, Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 2000-178-121(B) and 2000-179-147(B), both dated May 3, 2000. Effective Date (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 14, 2001. Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 19, 2001. Donald L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-10338 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P