AD 2007-14-01 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes

Models named: A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include a new inspection and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with the operator maintenance documents is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections and CDCCLs, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspection and CDCCLs described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections and CDCCLs that will preserve the critical ignition source prevention feature of the affected fuel system.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Revise Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) for Model A330 Airplanes (f) For Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A330 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05, Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on November 17, 2006), Section 1, “Maintenance/Inspection Tasks” (hereafter referred to as “Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05”). For the task identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05, the initial compliance time starts from the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, and the repetitive inspection must be accomplished thereafter at the interval specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05. (i) The effective date of this AD. (ii) The date of issuance of the original French standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French export certificate of airworthiness. Note 2: Airbus Operator Information Telex (OIT) SE 999.0076/06, dated June 20, 2006, identifies the applicable sections of the Airbus A330 airplane maintenance manual (AMM) necessary for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05. (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A330 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05, Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the EASA on November 17, 2006), Section 2, “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations.” Revise ALS for Model A340 Airplanes (g) For Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A340 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Section 1, “Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,” of Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by the EASA on April 28, 2006); Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the EASA on November 22, 2006); or Issue 3, dated November 23, 2006 (approved by the EASA on February 26, 2007) (all of these issues are hereafter referred to as “Section 1 of Document 95A.1933/05,” as applicable). For the task identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1933/05, the initial compliance time starts from the effective date of this AD, and the repetitive inspection must be accomplished thereafter at the interval specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1933/05. Note 3: Airbus OIT SE 999.0076/06, dated June 20, 2006, identifies the applicable sections of the Airbus A340 AMM necessary for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1933/05. (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A340 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Section 2, “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations,” of Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by the EASA on April 28, 2006); Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the EASA on November 22, 2006); or Issue 3, dated November 23, 2006 (approved by the EASA on February 26, 2007). No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or CDCCLs (h) Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD: After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD, as applicable, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Related Information (j) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0205, dated July 11, 2006; and EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0023, dated January 25, 2007; also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, 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 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. Table 1.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service information Issue level Date Airbus A330 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations Original April 11, 2006. Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05 Issue 2 October 26, 2006. Airbus A340 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations Original April 11, 2006. Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05 Issue 1 December 19, 2005. Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05 Issue 2 October 26, 2006. Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05 Issue 3 November 23, 2006. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-13117 Filed 7-11-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.