AD 2006-13-08 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 Airplanes

This AD applies to the airplanes in table 1 of this AD; certificated in any category. Table 1.—Affected Airplanes All Airbus Model—; (1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes. (2) A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. (3) A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes. (4) A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes. (5) A340-541 airplanes. (6) A340-642 airplanes.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Restoration (f) After the effective date of this AD, after any activation of the fire extinguishing system, before further flight, restore the fire extinguishing system in the LDCC and in the BCRC, as applicable, in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent). The applicable airplane maintenance manual (AMM) in table 2 of this AD is one approved method, provided that the following caution note is included in the work instructions of that AMM: “CAUTION: APPLY A SMALL QUANTITY OF THE CORRECT GREASE TO THE MALE THREADS OF THE CONNECTIONS. THIS WILL PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE THREADS. MAKE SURE THAT THE GREASE DOES NOT GO INTO THE PIPES. GREASE IN THE PIPES CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM.” Table 2.—AMMs For Model— Page Block— Of— (1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus A330 AMM (LDCC-FMS). (2) A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-28-00 of Airbus A340 AMM (BCRC-FMS). (3) A340-541 and -642 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-28-00 of Airbus A340-500/-600 AMM (BCRC-FMS). (4) A340-642 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus A340-600 AMM (LDCC-FMCU). (5) A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes, and A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus A340 AMM (LDCC-FMS). (6) A340-541 and -642 airplanes 201 Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus A340-500/-600 AMM (LDCC-FMS). Inspections of FMS in the LDCC (g) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this AD inclusive, on which the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness is before October 2, 2004: Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, within 2,400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual inspection for anti-fretting material contamination of the Halon filters and plumbing parts of the FMS in the LDCC, do applicable corrective actions if necessary; and related investigative and other specified actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin in Table 3 of this AD. The applicable corrective and related investigative and other specified actions must be done before further flight. Table 3.—Service Bulletins for Inspecting FMS in the LDCC For Model— Airbus Service Bulletin— (1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes A330-26-3031, Revision 02, dated February 1, 2005. (2) A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes A340-26-4031, Revision 02, dated February 1, 2005. (3) A340-541 airplanes A340-26-5007, dated January 31, 2005. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” Inspection of FMCU in LDCC (h) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(6) of this AD, on which the date of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness is before October 2, 2004: Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, within 2,400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual inspection for anti-fretting material contamination of the plumbing parts of the FMCU in the LDCC, and do applicable corrective and other specified actions. The actions must be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-26-5008, dated January 31, 2005. The applicable corrective and other specified actions must be done before further flight. Inspection of the FMS in the BCRC (i) For airplanes identified in Table 4 of this AD, on which the date of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness is before October 2, 2004: Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, within 2,400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual inspection for anti-fretting material contamination of the Halon filters and plumbing parts of the FMS in the BCRC, do applicable corrective actions if necessary; and related investigative and other specified actions. The actions must be done in accordance with the applicable service bulletin in table 4 of this AD. The applicable corrective and related investigative and other specified actions must be done before further flight. Table 4.—Service Bulletins for Inspecting FMS in the BCRC For airplanes identified in— On which— Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of— (1) Paragraphs (c)(5) and (c)(6) of this AD The BCRC was incorporated in production in accordance with any Airbus modification 47198, 47884, 48895, 48710, 49136, 50107, 50900, or 51320 Airbus Service Bulletin A340-26-5009, dated January 31, 2005. (2) Paragraph (c)(4) of this AD The BCRC was incorporated in production in accordance with Airbus modification 50901 Airbus Service Bulletin A340-26-4035, dated February 22, 2005. Compliance Time Extension for Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD (j) The inspection required by paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD may be done within 6,600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, provided that you can conclusively determine from reviewing the airplane maintenance records that the fire extinguishing system has never been activated before the effective date of this AD. A log book entry is not acceptable for determining if a fire extinguishing bottle has been activated. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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 § 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 (l) French airworthiness directives F-2005-019 R1 (for Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes) and F-2005-020 R1 (for Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes), both issued May 11, 2005, also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use the service information specified in Table 5 of this AD 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 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 . Table 5.—Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date A330-26-3031 02 February 1, 2005. A340-26-4031 02 February 1, 2005. A340-26-4035 Original February 22, 2005. A340-26-5007 Original January 31, 2005. A340-26-5008 Original January 31, 2005. A340-26-5009 Original January 31, 2005. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-5548 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report that the flow metering system (FMS) and the flow metering compact unit (FMCU) of the fire extinguishing system may be blocked by anti-fretting material contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent such anti-fretting material contamination, which could reduce the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher system to discharge fire extinguishing agents and to lower the concentration of Halon gas in the lower deck cargo compartment (LDCC) and bulk crew rest compartment (BCRC) in a timely manner. An ineffective fire extinguisher system in the event of a fire could result in an uncontrollable fire in the LDCC or BCRC.