AD 2009-18-16 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 Airplanes

Models named: A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, -325. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324 and -325 airplanes; all serial numbers; certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, dated April 4, 2005, has been accomplished.

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Except for airplanes identified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, accomplish inspections by rotating probe for cracking of holes H1 through H29 on frame FR 43 through 46 inclusive, and inspections of holes H1 through H29 on FR 43 through 46 inclusive to determine the edge distance of the hole, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008 (“the service bulletin”). If no cracking is found and the edge distance is equal to or greater than the distance specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, before further flight, do the cold expansion of the most fatigue sensitive fastener holes, as identified in the service bulletin. (i) Inspect at the applicable time indicated in Table 1 of this AD. Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes with an average flight time (AFT) equal to or less than 3.17 flight hours are short range airplanes. Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes with an AFT exceeding 3.17 flight hours are long range airplanes. (ii) Within 500 flight cycles or 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. Table 1—Compliance Times       Affected Airplanes Inspection/Modification Threshold, whichever occurs later Model A310-304, -322, -324 and -325 short range airplanes Prior to accumulation of 26,500 flight cycles or 74,300 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 29,200 flight cycles or 81,800 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Model A310-304, -322, -324 and -325 long range airplanes Prior to accumulation of 23,400 flight cycles or 117,100 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 25,800 flight cycles or 129,000 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Model A310-203, -204, -221, and A310-222 Prior to accumulation of 23,400 flight cycles or 46,800 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 28,800 flight cycles or 57,700 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Note 1: To establish the average flight time, take the accumulated flight time (counted from the take-off up to the landing) and divide by the number of accumulated flight cycles. This gives the average flight time per flight cycle. (2) For airplanes that have been modified before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 01, dated May 3, 2007: Within 500 flight cycles or 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, contact Airbus and follow their corrective actions. (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any cracking is found or if the edge distance is less than the distance specified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, before further flight, contact Airbus and follow their corrective actions. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) : The Manager, International Branch, 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: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (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 Union Airworthiness Directive 2008-0212, dated December 4, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, 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 Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552 (a) and 1 CF part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS—EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com ; Internet http://www.airbus.com . (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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 . Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 2009. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-21147 Filed 9-8-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Except for airplanes identified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, accomplish inspections by rotating probe for cracking of holes H1 through H29 on frame FR 43 through 46 inclusive, and inspections of holes H1 through H29 on FR 43 through 46 inclusive to determine the edge distance of the hole, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008 (“the service bulletin”). If no cracking is found and the edge distance is equal to or greater than the distance specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, before further flight, do the cold expansion of the most fatigue sensitive fastener holes, as identified in the service bulletin. (i) Inspect at the applicable time indicated in Table 1 of this AD. Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes with an average flight time (AFT) equal to or less than 3.17 flight hours are short range airplanes. Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes with an AFT exceeding 3.17 flight hours are long range airplanes. (ii) Within 500 flight cycles or 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. Table 1—Compliance Times       Affected Airplanes Inspection/Modification Threshold, whichever occurs later Model A310-304, -322, -324 and -325 short range airplanes Prior to accumulation of 26,500 flight cycles or 74,300 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 29,200 flight cycles or 81,800 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Model A310-304, -322, -324 and -325 long range airplanes Prior to accumulation of 23,400 flight cycles or 117,100 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 25,800 flight cycles or 129,000 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Model A310-203, -204, -221, and A310-222 Prior to accumulation of 23,400 flight cycles or 46,800 flight hours since first flight of the airplane, whichever occurs first Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 28,800 flight cycles or 57,700 flight hours since first flight, whichever occurs first. Note 1: To establish the average flight time, take the accumulated flight time (counted from the take-off up to the landing) and divide by the number of accumulated flight cycles. This gives the average flight time per flight cycle. (2) For airplanes that have been modified before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 01, dated May 3, 2007: Within 500 flight cycles or 800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, contact Airbus and follow their corrective actions. (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any cracking is found or if the edge distance is less than the distance specified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, before further flight, contact Airbus and follow their corrective actions. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) : The Manager, International Branch, 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: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (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 Union Airworthiness Directive 2008-0212, dated December 4, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, 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 Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2124, Revision 02, dated May 22, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552 (a) and 1 CF part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS—EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com ; Internet http://www.airbus.com . (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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 . Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 2009. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-21147 Filed 9-8-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P