Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14672 · Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-642 Airplanes
Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-642 Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine if certain emergency escape slides/slide rafts (referred to as slide/rafts) are installed in certain crew/passenger doors; and, if so, performing a one-time inspection to determine if the electrical harnesses of the slide/rafts are properly routed, and rerouting the harnesses if necessary. This AD results from report that a slide/raft failed to deploy properly during a deployment test. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper routing of the electrical harnesses of certain slide/rafts, which could prevent proper deployment of the slide/rafts and delay evacuation of passengers and flightcrew during an emergency.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 1,700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Inspect certain crew/passenger doors as required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2), as applicable, of this AD to determine if slide/rafts having certain part numbers (P/Ns) are installed. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the presence of the subject slide/rafts can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes: On both right- and left-hand sides, inspect to determine the P/N of the slide/rafts of crew/passenger doors 1 and 4, and—only if it is a type 1 door—crew/passenger door 3. If crew/passenger door 3 is not a type 1 door, it is not subject to any requirement of this AD.
(i) If a slide/raft does not have P/N 7A1508-() or 7A1509-(), no further action is required for that slide/raft by this paragraph.
(ii) If a slide/raft has P/N 7A1508-() or 7A1509-(), within 1,700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the electrical harness of that slide/raft and reroute the harness, as applicable, in accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.2.4 of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-25A3272, Revision 02; or Airbus AOT A340-25A4259, Revision 02, both dated June 1, 2005, as applicable.
(2) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: On both right- and left-hand sides, inspect to determine the P/N of the slide/rafts of crew/passenger doors 1 and 4.
(i) If a slide/raft does not have P/N 7A1508-(), no further action is required for that slide/raft by this paragraph.
(ii) If a slide/raft has P/N 7A1508-(), within 1,700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the electrical harness of that slide/raft and reroute the harness, as applicable, in accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.2.4 of Airbus AOT A340-25A5091, Revision 02, dated June 1, 2005.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”
Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the Airbus AOTs listed in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
| Airbus AOT | Revision level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| A330-25A3272 1 | Original | March 17, 2005. |
| A330-25A3272-2005 1 | 01 | March 24, 2005. |
| A340-25A4259 2 | Original | March 17, 2005. |
| A340-25A4259-2005 2 | 01 | March 24, 2005. |
| A340-25A5091 3 | Original | March 17, 2005. |
| A340-25A5091-2005 3 | 01 | March 24, 2005. |
After the effective date of this AD, no person may install any slide/raft having P/N 7A1508-() or 7A1509-() on any airplane unless the electrical harness of that slide/raft is determined to be properly routed in accordance with the requirements of this AD.
