Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13726 · Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes; Equipped With Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4 or 4000 Series Engines
Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes; Equipped With Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4 or 4000 Series Engines
The airplanes, certificated in any category, in the following table:
| Model— | Equipped with— | Except those modified in accordance with Airbus service bulletin— | Or modified in accordance with Airbus production modification— |
|---|---|---|---|
| A300 B4-620 | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A300-78-6017, dated August 6, 2001 | 12261, 12264, and 12265. |
| A300 B4-622 | PW4000 series engines | A300-78-6020, dated August 10, 2001 | 12262, 12263, 12265, and 12377; or 12262, 12263, and 12266. |
| A300 B4-622R | PW4000 series engines | A300-78-6018, dated July 17, 2001 | 12262, 12263, 12265, and 12377; or 12262, 12263, and 12266. |
| A310-221 | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A310-78-2020, dated June 1, 2001 | 12261, 12264, and 12265. |
| A310-222 | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A310-78-2020 or A310-78-2018, both dated June 1, 2001 | 12261, 12264, and 12265. |
| Airbus Model A310-324 and -325 | PW4000 series engines | A310-78-2019, dated May 2, 2001 | 12262, 12263, 12265, and 12377; or 12262, 12263, and 12266. |
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (d)(1) 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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, that currently requires deactivating both thrust reversers and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to ensure safe and appropriate performance during certain takeoff conditions. This amendment requires installing modifications that will add an independent third line of defense on the thrust reversers, which would enhance their redundancy and terminate the requirements of the existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent in-flight deployment of the thrust reversers, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
To prevent in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952), deactivate both thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 78-08, dated November 30, 1998.
(b) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998, revise the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following:
“The takeoff performance on wet and contaminated runways with thrust reversers deactivated shall be determined in accordance with Airbus Flight Operations Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 1998, as follows:
For takeoff on wet runways, use performance data in accordance with paragraph 4.1 of the FOT.
For takeoff on contaminated runways, use performance data in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of the FOT.
[ Note: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).]”
Note 2: The “FCOM” referenced in Airbus Flight Operations Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 1998, is Airbus Industrie Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM), Revision 27 for Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and Revision 22 for A300-600 series airplanes. (The revision number is indicated on the List of Effective Pages (LEP) of the FCOM.)
Note 3: FAA letter ANM-01-116-63, dated April 4, 2001, was issued to Airbus to allow reactivation of thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus AOT 78-09, Revision 3, dated June 29, 1999, if the stow-latching minimum-force check is done after the serialized selector solenoid valve is installed. Achievement of these conditions is considered an acceptable method of compliance for paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, and is available for use by all operators of all affected airplanes.
(c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install modifications related to an independent third line of defense on the thrust reversers, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD. The modifications involve retrofit of a new electrical circuit at four locations and installation of the synchronous shaft lock system and connection to the new electrical circuit. After the modifications have been installed, the thrust reversers may be reactivated, and the AFM limitation specified by paragraph (b) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. Table 2 follows:
| For Airbus model— | Equipped with model— | Install the modification in accordance with Airbus service bulletin— |
|---|---|---|
| A300 B4-620 airplanes | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A300-78-6017, dated August 6, 2001. |
| A300 B4-622 airplanes | PW4000 series engines | A300-78-6020, dated August 10, 2001. |
| A300 B4-622R airplanes | PW4000 series engines | A300-78-6018, dated July 17, 2001. |
| A310-221 series airplanes | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A310-78-2020, dated June 1, 2001. |
| A310-222 series airplanes | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A310-78-2020 or A310-78-2018, both dated June 1, 2001. |
| A310-322 series airplanes | PWJT9D-7R4 series engines | A310-78-2018, dated June 1, 2001. |
| Airbus Model A310-324 and -325 series airplanes | PW4000 series engines | A310-78-2019, dated May 2, 2001. |
(d)(1) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
