AD 2007-07-01 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes)

Models named: A300 B4-600, B4-600R, F4-600R series, C4-605R Variant F. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); certificated in any category; as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, dated May 17, 2005.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection for Actuator Part Numbers and Corrective Action (f) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Inspect to determine if a spoiler actuator with part number P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 is installed, by doing all the applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005. If the part number cannot be found on the spoiler actuator: Operators may inspect the distribution block on the spoiler actuator to determine if part number P376A0089-00 is installed (distribution blocks having this part number are only on actuators with the affected part numbers). (1) If no actuator with any part number identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is installed, no further action is required by this paragraph. (2) If any actuator with any part number identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is installed and the three associated hydraulic circuits are affected (at least one actuator supplied by the yellow circuit and at least one actuator supplied by the blue circuit and at least one actuator supplied by the green circuit): Within 100 flight hours after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, replace all affected actuators on one of the hydraulic circuits with new actuators in accordance with the service bulletin. Within 12 months after accomplishing that replacement, replace all the remaining affected actuators with new actuators in accordance with the service bulletin. (3) If any actuator with any part number identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is installed and one or two of the associated hydraulic circuits are affected: Within 12 months after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, replace all affected actuators with new actuators in accordance with the service bulletin. Parts Installation (g) After the effective date of this AD, no spoiler actuator with part number P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 may be installed on any airplane. No Reporting Required (h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005, specifies to submit an inspection report to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 (j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-125, dated July 20, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005, 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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 20, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-5555 Filed 3-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from failure of a distribution block, which was detected during fatigue qualification tests of certain spoiler actuators. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the distribution block, which could result in leakage of the hydraulic fluid that supplies those actuators. This failure could cause failure of one of the three spoiler actuators and the associated hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss of those hydraulic circuits and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.