AD 2008-22-20 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, and A340-300 Series Airplanes

Models named: A330-200, A330-300, A340-300 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, and A340-300 series airplanes; certificated in any category; all certified models, all serial numbers; on which Airbus Modification 44205 has been embodied in production, except those on which Airbus Modification 52974 or 53223 has been embodied in production.

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For Airbus Model A330-300 and A340-300 series airplanes, except Model A340-300 weight variant (WV) 027 airplanes: At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, perform a HFEC inspection of the upper shell structure between FR80 and FR86, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (i) If no crack is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter within the intervals specified in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (ii) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this AD: Before next flight, contact Airbus for repair instructions and do applicable repairs. (iii) Doing the modification of the upper shell structure in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 or A340-53-4165, both dated September 19, 2007, as applicable, ends the inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (2) Do the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD at the later of the compliance times specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD. (i) Within the compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (ii) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD. (3) At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the upper shell structure between FR80 and FR86 (including doing eddy current inspections for cracking of certain fastener rows and applicable corrective actions) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160, dated July 9, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172, dated July 10, 2007; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. (i) For Model A330-200 airplanes, WV 020 through WV 027: Prior to the accumulation of 13,500 total flight cycles. (ii) For Model A330-200 airplanes, WV 050 through WV 055: Prior to the accumulation of 10,700 total flight cycles or 59,300 total flight hours, whichever occurs first. (iii) For Model A340-300 airplanes, WV 027: Prior to the accumulation of 14,200 total flight cycles. (4) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD according to Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-53-3168 and A340-53-4174, both dated September 19, 2007, as applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI allows further flight after cracks are found during compliance with the required action, this AD requires that you repair the crack(s) before further flight. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2007-0284, dated November 12, 2007, and the service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD, for related information. Table 1—Service Information Airbus service information Revision Date Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160 Original July 9, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 01 February 15, 2008. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172 Original July 10, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4174 01 February 15, 2008. Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 Original September 19, 2007. Service Bulletin A340-53-4165 Original September 19, 2007. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 33 33; Internet http://www.airbus.com . (3) 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 2—Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Revision Date Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160 Original July 9, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 01 February 15, 2008. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172 Original July 10, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4174 01 February 15, 2008. Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 Original September 19, 2007. Service Bulletin A340-53-4165 Original September 19, 2007. Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-25787 Filed 11-10-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For Airbus Model A330-300 and A340-300 series airplanes, except Model A340-300 weight variant (WV) 027 airplanes: At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, perform a HFEC inspection of the upper shell structure between FR80 and FR86, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (i) If no crack is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter within the intervals specified in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (ii) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this AD: Before next flight, contact Airbus for repair instructions and do applicable repairs. (iii) Doing the modification of the upper shell structure in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 or A340-53-4165, both dated September 19, 2007, as applicable, ends the inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (2) Do the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD at the later of the compliance times specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD. (i) Within the compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 or A340-53-4174, both Revision 01, both dated February 15, 2008, as applicable. (ii) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD. (3) At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the upper shell structure between FR80 and FR86 (including doing eddy current inspections for cracking of certain fastener rows and applicable corrective actions) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160, dated July 9, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172, dated July 10, 2007; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. (i) For Model A330-200 airplanes, WV 020 through WV 027: Prior to the accumulation of 13,500 total flight cycles. (ii) For Model A330-200 airplanes, WV 050 through WV 055: Prior to the accumulation of 10,700 total flight cycles or 59,300 total flight hours, whichever occurs first. (iii) For Model A340-300 airplanes, WV 027: Prior to the accumulation of 14,200 total flight cycles. (4) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD according to Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-53-3168 and A340-53-4174, both dated September 19, 2007, as applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI allows further flight after cracks are found during compliance with the required action, this AD requires that you repair the crack(s) before further flight. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2007-0284, dated November 12, 2007, and the service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD, for related information. Table 1—Service Information Airbus service information Revision Date Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160 Original July 9, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 01 February 15, 2008. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172 Original July 10, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4174 01 February 15, 2008. Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 Original September 19, 2007. Service Bulletin A340-53-4165 Original September 19, 2007. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 33 33; Internet http://www.airbus.com . (3) 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 2—Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus service information Revision Date Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3160 Original July 9, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3168 01 February 15, 2008. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4172 Original July 10, 2007. Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4174 01 February 15, 2008. Service Bulletin A330-53-3159 Original September 19, 2007. Service Bulletin A340-53-4165 Original September 19, 2007. Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-25787 Filed 11-10-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P