AD 2006-10-13 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and -323 Airplanes

Models named: A330-223, -321, -322, -323. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and -323 airplanes; certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Repetitive Inspections (f) Prior to the accumulation of 3,000 total flight hours on the LAPF, or within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later: Perform a detailed inspection for cracking of the LAPF firewall, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004. If no cracking is found, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours, until paragraph (i) of this AD is accomplished. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004, refers to Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4G-100-A54-5, currently at Revision 1, dated June 30, 2004, as an additional source of service information for doing the inspection and corrective actions. Corrective Actions and Repetitive Inspections (Cracking Found) (g) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, do paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. (1) If the crack is less than or equal to 1.2 inches long, or if multiple cracks are found with a combined total length less than or equal to 1.2 inches: Before further flight, stop-drill the crack or cracks and apply sealants, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004, or do paragraph (h) of this AD. If the crack is stop-drilled and sealants applied, then repeat the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, and do paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) During the repeat inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if the existing crack does not extend to be longer than 1.2 inches, and the combined total length of all cracks is less than or equal to 1.2 inches: Within 4,600 flight hours after the crack is initially found, do paragraph (h) of this AD. (ii) During any repeat inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if any crack that was previously less than or equal to 1.2 inches long is found to have extended to be greater than 1.2 inches long but less than or equal to 1.5 inches long; or if the total length of all cracks is greater than 1.2 inches but less than or equal to 1.5 inches long: Within 500 flight hours, do paragraph (h) of this AD. (iii) During any repeat inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if any crack that was previously less than or equal to 1.5 inches long is found to have extended to be greater than 1.5 inches long; or if the total length of all cracks is greater than 1.5 inches: Before further flight, do paragraph (h) of this AD. (2) If the crack is less than or equal to 1.5 inches long, or if multiple cracks are found with a combined total length less than or equal to 1.5 inches: Before further flight, stop-drill the crack or cracks and apply sealants, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004. Then, within 500 flight hours after the stop-drilling and sealing of the crack or cracks, do paragraph (h) of this AD. (3) If any crack is greater than 1.5 inches long, or if multiple cracks are found with a combined total length greater than 1.5 inches: Before further flight, do paragraph (h) of this AD. Note 3: This AD does not allow continued flight with a known crack that is greater than 1.5 inches long or with multiple cracks having a combined total length greater than 1.5 inches. Repair or Replacement of Firewall (h) If any crack is found: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, do paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD. (1) Repair the LAPF firewall or replace the LAPF firewall with a new firewall, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004. Then, within 3,000 flight hours after repair or replacement of the LAPF firewall, inspect the firewall in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. (2) Do paragraph (i) of this AD. Optional Terminating Action (i) Replacing the LAPF assembly with an improved LAPF assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3022, dated May 25, 2005, terminates the repetitive inspections required by this AD. Note 4: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3022 refers to Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4G-100-54-7, dated July 1, 2005, as an additional source of service information for modifying the LAPF assemblies. Reporting Requirement (j) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this AD: Submit a report of the findings to Airbus, Department AI/SE-E5, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Submit the report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD. The report must include the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane. Submitting Appendix 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, dated June 16, 2004, is an acceptable means of accomplishing this requirement. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. (1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. Actions Accomplished Previously (k) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, including Appendix 01, dated February 4, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and (j) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1)(l) 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. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (m) French airworthiness directive F-2004-028 R2, dated October 26, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (n) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3021, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 16, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If you do the optional terminating action, you must use Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3022, dated May 25, 2005, to perform that action. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents 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 May 8, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-4504 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of cracking of the firewall of the lower aft pylon fairing (LAPF). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could reduce the effectiveness of the firewall and result in an uncontrolled engine fire.