AD 2008-06-07 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes

This AD applies to the airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category. Table 1.—Applicability Airbus model— Excluding those airplanes on which any of the following— Has been installed— A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes Airbus modification 54833 In production.   Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3136, Revision 01, dated July 19, 2006 In service.   Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4135, dated January 12, 2006 In service.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Requirements of AD 2005-23-10: Service Information (f) The term “AOT,” as used in paragraphs (g) through (i) of this AD, means section 4.2. “Description” of the following service information, as applicable: (1) For Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes: Airbus All Operators Telex A330-27A3138, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005; and (2) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes: Airbus All Operators Telex A340-27A4137, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005. Initial and Repetitive Elevator Servo-Loop Tests (g) Within 200 flight hours after November 29, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-23-10): Test the elevator servo-loops, in accordance with the AOT, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. If the test of the elevator servo-loops passes, repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 140 flight hours or 8 days, whichever occurs first. Failed Tests (h) If any test of the elevator servo-loops required by paragraph (g) of this AD fails: Before further flight, troubleshoot the cause of the test failure, and do the applicable corrective actions; in accordance with the AOT, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the test at the times specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. Reporting Requirement (i) Following each test required by paragraph (g) of this AD, submit a report of the findings of only failed elevator servo-loop tests to Airbus Customer Services, Engineering and Technical Support, Attention: Mr. J. Laurent, SEE53, fax +33/(0)5.61.93.44.25; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must include the description of the failure experienced during the test, the identified cause of the failure, and the number of flight hours and flight cycles on the airplane. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (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 test was done after November 29, 2005: Submit the report within 10 days after the test. (2) If the test was done prior to November 29, 2005: Submit the report within 10 days after November 29, 2005. New Requirements of This AD New Service Information for Testing (j) As of the effective date of this AD, do the actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as applicable. (1) For Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3138, Revision 02, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 30, 2006; and (2) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4137, Revision 02, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 30, 2006. Terminating Actions (k) Within 17 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the four elevator servo controls in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3136, Revision 01, dated July 19, 2006 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4135, dated January 12, 2006 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes); as applicable. Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3136 and A340-27-4135 refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service Bulletin SC4800-27-18, Revision 1, dated May 19, 2006, as an additional source of service information for accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (k) of this AD. (l) Modifications done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3136, dated January 12, 2006, are acceptable for compliance with the modification required by paragraph (k) of this AD. (m) Concurrently with the modification required by paragraph (k) of this AD, modify the four elevator servo controls in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3134, Revision 01, dated May 12, 2006 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4132, dated October 13, 2005 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes); as applicable. Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3134 and A340-27-4132 refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service Bulletin SC4800-27-17, Revision 2, dated May 19, 2006, as an additional source of service information for accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (m) of this AD. (n) Modifications done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3134, dated October 13, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with the modification required by paragraph (m) of this AD. (o) Accomplishment of the modifications required by paragraphs (k) and (m) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the requirements of paragraphs (f) through (i) of this AD. Parts Installation (p) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an elevator servo control, unless it has been modified in accordance with paragraphs (k) and (m) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (q)(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 (r) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 2007-0008, dated January 9, 2007, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (s) You must use the applicable Airbus service information contained in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 2.—All Material Incorporated by Reference Service information Revision Date Airbus All Operators Telex A330-27A3138 01 October 3, 2005. Airbus All Operators Telex A340-27A4137 01 October 3, 2005. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3134 01 May 12, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3136 01 July 19, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3138, excluding Appendix 01 02 May 30, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4132 Original October 13, 2005. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4135 Original January 12, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4137, excluding Appendix 01 02 May 30, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information contained in Table 3 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Table 3.—All Material Incorporated by Reference Service information Revision Date Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3134 01 May 12, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3136 01 July 19, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3138, excluding Appendix 01 02 May 30, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4132 Original October 13, 2005. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4135 Original January 12, 2006. Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4137, excluding Appendix 01 02 May 30, 2006. (2) On November 29, 2005 (70 FR 69065, November 14, 2005), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex A330-27A3138, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005; and Airbus All Operators Telex A340-27A4137, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. 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 3, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-4671 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of failed elevator servo controls due to broken guides. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the elevator servo controls during certain phases of takeoff, which could result in an unannounced loss of elevator control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.