AD 2002-07-05 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, and A300 B4-600R Series Airplanes; and Model A300 F4-605R Airplanes

Models named: A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R series, A300 F4-605R. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

All Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, and A300 B4-600R series airplanes; and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes; 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 (g) 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 detect and correct propagation of cracks on the frame 40 aft fittings due to local stress concentrations at the upper flange runout of frame 40, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following: Modification (a) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10430 has not been done before the effective date of this AD: Concurrently with the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, modify the profile of frame 40 aft fittings per the service information specified in Table 1, as follows: Table 1.—Service Information For Model— Do the actions in accordance with either— Of Airbus Service Bulletin— Dated— (1) A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes (i) Revision 01 or A300-53-0296 September 30, 1998.   (ii) Revision 02 A300-53-0296 May 12, 1999. (2) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. (i) Revision 01 or (ii) Revision 03 A300-53-6048 A300-53-6048 September 30, 1998. February 21, 2000.   Note 2: For Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes: Actions performed in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048, dated January 16, 1996; or Revision 02, dated May 12, 1999; are acceptable for compliance with the applicable requirements of this AD. Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048 refers to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6063 as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of certain repairs. Inspection (b) For all airplanes, inspect the airplane per Table 2, as follows: Table 2.—Inspection Requirements Requirements Description (1) Area to inspect The frame 40 AFT fitting. (2) Type of inspection Nondestructive test (NDT). (3) Compliance time As specified by paragraph (c) of this AD. (4) Discrepancies to detect Cracking. (5) Service information Inspect in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD. (6) Follow-on actions if you find no cracking Repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable interval specified by Table 3 of this AD. (7) Corrective actions if you find cracking Do the actions specified by paragraph (d) of this AD. (8) Terminating action The modification specified by paragraph (e) of this AD terminates the requirements of this AD. Note 4: An NDT per Non-destructive Testing Manual 53-15-30, Part 6, Procedure C, is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD. (c) Perform the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD per the schedule in Table 3 of this AD. For airplanes on which this inspection has been accomplished before the effective date of this AD, the initial compliance time may be extended by the repetitive interval following the date the inspection was accomplished. Table 3 follows: Table 3.—Compliance Times for Inspection For Model— If the total flight cycles accumulated on the airplane as of the effective date of this AD is— Then inspect— And repeat the inspection at least every— (1) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes, pre-Modification 10430 (i) Fewer than 6,200 Before the airplane accumulates 7,700 total flight cycles or 17,710 total flight hours, whichever occurs first. 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (ii) At least 6,200 and fewer than 9,700 Within 1,500 flight cycles or 3,450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (iii) At least 9,700 Within 750 flight cycles or 1,725 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first. (2) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 B-4605R airplanes, post-Modification 10430 (i) Fewer than 19,600 Before the airplane accumulates 21,100 total flight cycles or 48,530 total flight hours, whichever occurs first 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (ii) At least 19,600 and fewer than 23,100 Within 1,500 flight cycles or 3,450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (iii) At least 23,100 Within 750 flight cycles or 1,725 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 7,500 flight cycles or 17,250 flight hours, whichever occurs first. (3) A300 B2 series airplanes (i) Fewer than 12,00 Before the airplane accumulates 14,000 total flight cycles or 15,120 total flight hours, whichever occurs first 5,500 flight cycles or 5,940 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (ii) At least 12,000 and fewer than 17,000 Within 2,000 flight cycles or 2,160 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 5,500 flight cycles or 5,940 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (iii) At least 17,000 Within 1,000 flight cycles or 1,080 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 5,500 flight cycles or 5,940 flight hours, whichever occurs first. (4) A300 B4-100 series airplanes (i) Fewer than 9,500 Before the airplane accumulates 11,500 total flight cycles or 15,295 total flight hours, whichever occurs first 4,500 flight cycles or 5,985 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (ii) At least 9,500 and fewer than 14,500 Within 2,000 flight cycles or 2,660 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 4,500 flight cycles or 5,985 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (iii) At least 14,500 Within 1,000 flight cycles or 1,330 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 4,500 flight cycles or 5,985 flight hours, whichever occurs first. (5) A300 B4-200 series airplanes (i) Fewer than 8,500 Before the airplane accumulates 10,500 total flight cycles or 21,840 total flight hours, whichever occurs first 4,000 flight cycles or 8,320 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (ii) At least 8,500 and fewer than 13,500 Within 2,000 flight cycles or 4,160 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 4,000 flight cycles or 8,320 flight hours, whichever occurs first.   (iii) At least 13,500 Within 1,000 flight cycles or 2,080 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first 4,000 flight cycles or 8,320 flight hours, whichever occurs first. Note 5: An NDT inspection is also required by AD 98-25-07, amendment 39-10933, to be repetitively performed on Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10453 has not been installed. For those airplanes, if the inspection is done within the applicable compliance time specified by paragraph (c) of this AD, the threshold for the initial inspection of paragraph (b) of this AD may be extended by 1,500 flight cycles. Corrective Actions (d) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD: Except as required by paragraph (f) of this AD, prior to further flight, perform all applicable corrective actions in accordance with the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD. Terminating Action (e) Accomplishment of the applicable modification in accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified by paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD terminates the requirements of this AD. (1) For Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes: In accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6053, Revision 1, dated October 31, 1995; or Revision 02, dated June 2, 1999. (2) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: In accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0297, Revision 2, dated October 31, 1995. Exception to Service Bulletin Instructions (f) During any inspection required by this AD, if the service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for an appropriate action: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent). Alternative Methods of Compliance (g) 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. 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 6: 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 (h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 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 (i) Except as required by paragraph (f) of this AD, the required actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable service documents identified in Table 4 and Table 5 of this AD, as follows: Table 4.—Referenced Service Documents for Required Actions Service bulletin and date Page numbers Revision level shown on the page Date shown on page Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0296, Revision 01, September 30, 1998 1-38 01 September 30, 1998. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0296, Revision 02, May 12, 1999 1-3, 8, 15, 16,18, 20, 22, 23,24 02 May 12, 1999.   4-7, 9-14, 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27-38 01 September 30, 1998. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048, Revision 01, September 30, 1998 1-31 01 September 30, 1998. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048, Revision 03, February 21, 2000 1-32 03 February 21, 2000. Table 5.—Referenced Service Documents for Optional Terminating Action Service bulletin and date Page numbers Revision level shown on the page Date shown on page Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6053, Revision 1, October 31, 1995 1, 7-9, 11-15, 19-24, 35, 36, 41, 42, 45-47 1 October 31, 1995.   2-6, 10, 16-18, 25-34, 37-40, 43, 44 Original February 21, 1995. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6053, Revision 02, June 2, 1999 1-6, 8, 23, 23a, 46, 47 02 June 2, 1999.   7, 9, 11, 12, 13-15, 19-22, 35, 36, 41, 42, 45 1 October 31, 1995.   10, 16-18, 25, 26, 27-34, 37-40, 43, 44 Original February 21, 1995. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0297, Revision 2, October 31, 1995 1-60 2 October 31, 1995. 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 7: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 1998-481-270(B) R1, dated July 12, 2000. Effective Date (j) This amendment becomes effective on May 14, 2002. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 28, 2002. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 02-8278 Filed 4-8-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P