Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15246 · Wings
Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2015-03-06. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes, certificated in any category, all certified models, all serial numbers.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance with the instructions defined in the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD. After the effective date of this AD, the following Airbus Service Bulletins must be used, as applicable: A330-57-3096, Revision 02, dated August 13, 2007; A340-57-4104, Revision 02, dated September 5, 2007; and A340-57-5009, Revision 01, dated August 13, 2007.
| Airbus Service Bulletin | Revision level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| A330-57A3096 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
| A330-57A3096 | 02 | August 13, 2007. |
| A340-57A4104 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
| A340-57A4104 | 02 | September 5, 2007. |
| A340-57A5009 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
| A340-57-5009 | 01 | August 13, 2007. |
(1) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), and (f)(1)(iii) of this AD: Within 60 months since first flight, or 14 days after February 15, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-03-04), whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection of the LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs (forward and aft) to detect any cracks on the two lugs.
(i) Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus modification 49353 has been embodied in production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3082 has been embodied in service on both wings, and except those that have been repaired on both wings as per Airbus UK Limited Repair Drawing R572-56230, or Airbus A330 Structural Repair Manual 57-26-13, page block 201.
(ii) Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus modification 49353 has been embodied in production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4088 has been embodied in service on both wings, and except those that have been repaired on both wings as per Airbus UK Limited Repair Drawing R572-56230, or Airbus A340 Structural Repair Manual 57-26-13, page block 201.
(iii) Airbus Model A340-500 and A340-600 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus modification 50040 or 51585 has been embodied in production.
(2) If any crack is detected, contact Airbus immediately and proceed with the replacement of the MLG rib 6 before further flight. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD thereafter as specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(3) If no crack is detected, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD at intervals not to exceed the applicable interval specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), or (f)(3)(iii) of this AD, until the first inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD is done. Repeat the inspection thereafter as specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. If any crack is detected during the repeat inspections, before further flight, apply the corrective action mentioned in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD as applicable.
(i) 300 flight cycles (FC) for Model A330 airplanes.
(ii) 200 FC for Model A340-200 and A340-300 airplanes.
(iii) 100 FC for Model A340-500 and A340-600 airplanes.
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) For airplanes not affected by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: Within 60 months since first flight, or 14 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do the action required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD in accordance with the instructions defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 02, dated August 13, 2007; A340-57-4104, Revision 02, dated September 5, 2007; or A340-57-5009, Revision 01, dated August 13, 2007; as applicable. If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this paragraph, before further flight do the actions required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
(2) For all airplanes: Repeat the detailed visual inspection for cracking of the LH and RH wing MLG Rib 6 bearing lugs (forward and aft) at the applicable interval specified in Table 2 of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this paragraph, before further flight do the actions required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.
Note 1: Replacement of the MLG Rib 6 fitting in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD.
Note 2: If the MLG Rib 6 fitting is replaced in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, the first inspection threshold for the replaced MLG Rib 6 is 5 years after such replacement.
(3) For airplanes that have been inspected before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified in Table 3 of this AD: Apply the new interval specified in Table 2 of this AD from the first inspection, scheduled in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, that occurs after the effective date of this AD.
| Model | Interval (whichever occurs first) |
|---|---|
| A330-200 series airplanes | 300 flight cycles or 1,500 flight hours. |
| A330-300 series airplanes | 300 flight cycles or 900 flight hours. |
| A340-200 series airplanes | 200 flight cycles or 800 flight hours. |
| A300-300 series airplanes, except WV27 | 200 flight cycles or 800 flight hours. |
| A340-300 series airplanes, WV27 | 200 flight cycles or 400 flight hours. |
| A340-500 and -600 series airplanes | 100 flight cycles or 500 flight hours. |
| Airbus Service Bulletin | Revision Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| A330-57A3096 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
| A330-57A3096 | 01 | April 18, 2007. |
| A340-57A4104 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
| A340-57-4104 | 01 | August 13, 2007. |
| A340-57A5009 | Original | December 5, 2006. |
(4) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57A3096, Revision 01, dated April 18, 2007; and A340-57-4104, Revision 01, dated August 13, 2007; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.
Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
