AD 2007-07-08 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric CF6-50 Engines

Models named: A300 B-2, B-4 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B-2 and B-4 series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with General Electric CF6-50 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. Restatement of Requirements of AD 2002-08-51: Thrust Reverser Deactivation and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision (f) Within 72 clock hours after May 6, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-51), accomplish paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. (1) Deactivate both thrust reversers according to Airbus All Operators Telex A300/78A0023, dated April 5, 2002. (2) Revise the Limitations Section of the AFM to include the following (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM): “When the runway is wet or contaminated, reduce by five percent the corrected acceleration-stop distance resulting from the airplane flight manual takeoff performance analysis. ( Note: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).)” New Requirements of This AD: Inspections and Corrective Actions (g) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD in consecutive order, in accordance with the procedures specified in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-78A0024, dated May 29, 2002, which ends the requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD. (1) Do a detailed inspection of the DPV on each thrust reverser for incorrect assembly, incorrect diameter, or excessive wear, by doing all the applicable actions, including all applicable corrective actions. All applicable corrective actions must be done before further flight. (2) Do a detailed inspection of the rocker arm of the DPV for excessive wear by doing all the applicable actions, including all applicable corrective actions. All applicable corrective actions must be done before further flight. (3) Reactivate both thrust reversers and do a one-time operational test before further flight. Note 1: Airbus AOT A300-78A0024, dated May 29, 2002, refers to Middle River Aircraft Systems CF6-50 Alert Service Bulletin 78A3040, Revision 2, dated June 18, 2004 (including Honeywell Service Bulletin 121332-78-1620, Revision 2, dated June 18, 2004), as an additional source of service information for accomplishing the inspections. Note 2: 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.” Repetitive Inspections/Corrective Actions (h) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, or within 8,000 flight hours after accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, whichever is first: Do a detailed inspection of the DPV and the associated control mechanism of the thrust reverser for incorrect assembly or excessive wear, by doing all the applicable actions, including all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0025, Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated February 16, 2005. All applicable corrective actions must be done before further flight; however, the affected thrust reverser may be deactivated and the airplane operated in accordance with the limitations of the MMEL for operations with one or more thrust reversers inoperative. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,000 flight hours. Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0025, Revision 01, dated February 16, 2005, refers to Middle River Aircraft Systems Component Maintenance Manual 78-31-06, Revision 10, dated May 31, 2005, as an additional source of service information for replacing defective components. Actions Accomplished Previously (i) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0025, dated July 21, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) 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) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2002-08-51, are not approved as AMOCs with this AD. (3) 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 (k) French airworthiness directives 2002-293(B), dated June 12, 2002, and F-2005-208, dated December 21, 2005, also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A300-78A0024, dated May 29, 2002; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0025, Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated February 16, 2005; and Airbus All Operators Telex A300/78A0023, dated April 5, 2002; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex A300-78A0024, dated May 29, 2002; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0025, Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated February 16, 2005; in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (The document number and date of Airbus All Operators Telex A300-78A0024, are indicated only on the first page; no other page of the document contains this information.) (2) On May 6, 2002 (67 FR 21569, May 1, 2002), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex A300/78A0023, dated April 5, 2002. (3) 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 26, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-6229 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports indicating that the directional pilot valve (DPV) was assembled incorrectly; further investigation revealed excessive wear on certain correctly assembled DPVs and the associated control mechanism. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.