Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11775 · Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes
Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes
All Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion of the retraction links of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the retraction link with a new retraction link, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion of the retraction link of the MLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity and possible collapse of the MLG.
To detect and correct corrosion of the retraction links of the main landing gear (MLG), which could result in reduced structural integrity and possible collapse of the MLG, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months time-in-service on any new retraction link, or within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect corrosion of the retraction links left-and right-hand of the MLG, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A340 series airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no corrosion is detected, or if corrosion is detected that is within the limits specified in the applicable service bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months.
(2) If any corrosion is detected that is outside the limits specified in the applicable service bulletin, replace the affected retraction link with a new retraction link at the time specified and in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection specified in paragraph (a) on any new retraction links, at the time specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins reference Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins A33/34-32-151, Revision 3, including Appendix A, and A33/34-32-152, Revision 3, including Appendix A, each dated January 11, 2000, as additional sources of service information for accomplishing the repetitive inspections.
Note 3: Although the inspection schedule of this AD applies to both left-and right-hand retraction links of the MLG, replacement of a retraction link, prior to scheduled replacement, would result in subsequent staggered inspections for the remainder of the retraction links.
