AD 2007-16-17 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes and Model A310 Series Airplanes

Models named: A300-600 series, A310 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes and Model A310 series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) elevator skin panels, modified in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2019 or A300-55-6016 (Airbus Modification 10861) with graphite fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP)/Tedlar film as external protection, with part numbers (P/Ns) and serial numbers (S/Ns) identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 or A310-55-2040, both dated June 7, 2006.

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 the Requirements of AD 2005-26-17 Inspection for Serial Number, Repetitive Inspections, and Corrective Actions (f) Within 600 flight hours after February 3, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2005-26-17), inspect to determine if the S/N of the elevator is listed in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-55A6032, dated June 23, 2004, or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6039, dated June 7, 2006 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or in Airbus AOT A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004, or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2040, dated June 7, 2006 (for Model A310 series airplanes). (1) If the S/N does not match any S/N on either AOT or service bulletin S/N list, no further action is required by this paragraph. (2) If the S/N matches a S/N listed in an AOT or service bulletin, before further flight, do the actions listed in Table 1 of this AD, and any corrective action as applicable, in accordance with Airbus AOT A300-600-55A6032, dated June 23, 2004; or Airbus AOT A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004; as applicable. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours until the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD is accomplished. Do applicable corrective actions before further flight. Table 1.—Repetitive Inspections Do a— Of the— For any— Detailed inspection Elevator upper and lower external skin surfaces Damage (i.e., breaks in the graphite fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP)/Tedlar film protection, debonded GFRP/Tedlar film protection, bulges, torn-out plies). Visual inspection with a low-angle light Elevator upper and lower external skin surfaces Differences in the surface reflection. Tap-test inspection Upper and lower external skin surfaces of the honeycomb core panels in the elevator Honeycomb core that has debonded from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). 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 mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” Repair Approval (g) Where the AOTs specified in paragraph (f) of this AD say to contact the manufacturer for repair instructions, or an alternative inspection method: Before further flight, repair or do the alternative inspection method according to a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Gonorale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent), or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Parts Installation (h) As of February 3, 2006, no carbon fiber elevator having part number (P/N) A55276055000 (left-hand side) or P/N A55276056000 (right-hand side) may be installed on any airplane unless it is inspected according to paragraph (f) of this AD; or according to paragraph (j) of this AD. No Reporting Required for AOT Inspections (i) Although the AOTs referenced in paragraph (f) of this AD specify to submit inspection reports to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. New Requirements of This AD Revised Inspection Program (j) For airplanes with affected serial numbers identified in paragraph (f) of this AD: Except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD, within 2,000 flight cycles or 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, do a detailed inspection of the external surfaces of the GFRP/Tedlar film protection on the upper and lower skin panels to detect damage of the film, and a thermographic inspection of the upper and lower skin panels to detect any potential water indication inside the panel's honeycomb core; do all applicable related investigative/corrective actions before further flight; and repair the external GFRP/Tedlar film with pore filler. Do all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2040 (for Model A310 series airplanes); both including Appendix 01, both dated June 7, 2006. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 flight cycles or 18 months, whichever occurs earlier. Where the service bulletin says to contact the manufacturer for repair instructions: Before further flight, repair or do the alternative inspection method according to a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116; or the EASA (or its delegated agent). Doing the inspections in accordance with this paragraph terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. (k) The maximum time between the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD and the first inspection done in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD must be no greater than: For the thermographic inspection, 2,500 flight hours after the last thermographic inspection done in accordance with the applicable AOT specified in paragraph (f) of this AD; and for the tap test, 600 flight hours after the last tap test inspection done in accordance with the applicable AOT specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. Report (l) Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of the inspections required by paragraph (j) of this AD to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD. The report must include the information in Appendix 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2040, both dated June 7, 2006, as applicable. 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 prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. Optional Terminating Action (m) Replacing the external GFRP/Tedlar film with an application of pore filler on the whole elevator external surface in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6040 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2041 (for Model A310 series airplanes), both dated June 5, 2006, terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD, provided the replacement is done before further flight after accomplishment of Airbus Service Bulletins A310-55-2040 and A300-55-6039, both dated June 7, 2006. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (n)(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) 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. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-26-17 are approved as AMOCs with the corresponding provisions of this AD. Related Information (o) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0289, dated November 2, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (p) You must use the service documents identified in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 2.—Required Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Date All Operators Telex A300-600-55A6032 June 23, 2004. All Operators Telex A310-55A2033 June 23, 2004. Service Bulletin A300-55-6039, including Appendix 01 June 7, 2006. Service Bulletin A310-55-2040, including Appendix 01 June 7, 2006. If you accomplish the optional actions specified in this AD, you must use the service documents identified in Table 3 of this AD to perform those actions, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 3.—Optional Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Date Service Bulletin A300-55-6040 June 5, 2006. Service Bulletin A310-55-2041 June 5, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the documents identified in Table 4 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Table 4.—New Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Date Service Bulletin A300-55-6039, including Appendix 01 June 7, 2006. Service Bulletin A300-55-6040 June 5, 2006. Service Bulletin A310-55-2040, including Appendix 01 June 7, 2006. Service Bulletin A310-55-2041 June 5, 2006. (2) On February 3, 2006 (70 FR 77301, December 30, 2005), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service documents identified in Table 5 of this AD. Table 5.—Material Previously Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Date All Operators Telex A300-600-55A6032 June 23, 2004. All Operators Telex A310-55A2033 June 23, 2004. (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 August 2, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-15589 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of damage caused by moisture/water inside the elevator. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct debonding of the skins on the elevators, which could cause reduced structural integrity of an elevator and reduced controllability of the airplane.