AD 2005-25-21 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 Airplanes Equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 TRENT 700 Engines

Models named: A330-243, -341, -342, -343. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 TRENT 700 engines.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Modification (f) At the applicable compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD: Modify the cowl assemblies of the left- and right-hand thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3010, Revision 03, dated April 28, 2004. Table 1.—Modification (Part Replacement) Thresholds Replace part number— At the later of the times specified— (1) 3410L, 3410R, 3411L, 3411R, 3412R, 3413R (i) Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. (2) 3414L, 3416R, 3417R (i) For airplanes modified according to Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3010 with more than 7,200 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new: Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (iii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.   (ii) For airplanes modified according to Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3010 with less than or equal to 7,200 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new: Before the accumulation of 25,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (3) 3414L, 3416R, 3417R (i) For airplanes modified in production by Airbus Modification 47316: Before the accumulation of 25,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. (4) 3412L, 3414R (i) For airplanes modified in production by Airbus Modification 46879: Before the accumulation of 25,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. (5) 3413L, 3415R (i) Before the accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles since the C-duct was new (ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3010, Revision 03, dated April 28, 2004, refers to Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin RB.211-78-C899, Revision 3, dated May 7, 2004, as an additional source of service information for modifying the cowl assemblies of the left- and right-hand thrust reversers. Parts Installation (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, a cowl assembly of the left- or right-hand thrust reverser if the airplane has exceeded the applicable flight cycle threshold specified in Table 1 of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (i) French airworthiness directive F-2001-528 R2, dated June 23, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3010, Revision 03, dated April 28, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 2005. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-23902 Filed 12-13-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a review of certification tests of the thrust reverser, which revealed that certain structural components within the C-duct need strengthening to meet high fatigue loads and maintain structural integrity. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the hinges integrated into the 12 o'clock beam of the thrust reversers, which could result in separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.