AD 2007-25-15

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) For Model A300 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0450, Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 10, 2006.

(2) For Model A300-600 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6097, Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 10, 2006.

Note 1: The Airbus service bulletins refer to Messier-Dowty Special Inspection Service Bulletin 470-32-806, dated October 27, 2005, as an additional source of service information for performing detailed and high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections to detect discrepancies of the sliding rod.

At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, do a one-time inspection to determine the part number of the sliding rod of the MLG retraction actuator, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. If no sliding rod having P/N C69029-2 or C69029-3 is installed, no further action is required by this paragraph. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the sliding rod of the MLG retraction actuator can be conclusively determined from that review.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 27,000 total flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator as of the effective date of this AD: After accumulating total 27,000 flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator, do the inspection within the next 1,000 flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 27,000 or more total flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator as of the effective date of this AD: Do the inspection within 1,000 flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD.

For MLG retraction actuators equipped with sliding rods having P/N C69029-2 or C69029-3: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, perform detailed and HFEC inspections of the sliding rod of the MLG retraction actuators on the left-hand and right-hand MLGs, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. Then, before further flight, perform all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 27,000 total flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator as of the effective date of this AD: After accumulating 27,000 total flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator, do the inspections within the next 1,000 flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 27,000 or more total flight cycles on the MLG retraction actuator as of the effective date of this AD: Do the inspections within 1,000 flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.”

Note 3: Operators should note that the MLG retraction actuator rod must be replaced with a new or serviceable actuator rod before the 32,000-flight-cycle life limit specified in the applicable airworthiness limitations document, regardless of the inspection findings.

(i) For airplanes having any retraction actuator sliding rods specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD: After the effective date of this AD, for the first replacement of the retraction actuator sliding rod, return the retraction actuator sliding rod to Messier-Dowty, SA Product Support Engineering, BP10—78142 Velizy Cedex, France, within 30 days after the retraction actuator sliding rod is removed from the airplane.

(1) Any retraction actuator sliding rod that is found to have cracking during the actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(2) Any retraction actuator sliding rod, P/N C69029-2 or C69029-3, removed that has accumulated between 27,000 total flight cycles and 32,000 total flight cycles.

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an MLG retraction actuator that is equipped with a sliding rod having P/N C69029-2 or C69029-3, and on which the retraction actuator rod has accumulated 27,000 total flight cycles or more, unless paragraph (h) of this AD is accomplished.

(k) As of the effective date of this AD, any MLG retraction actuator that is equipped with a sliding rod having P/N C69029-2 or C69029-3, and on which the retraction actuator rod has accumulated less than 27,000 total flight cycles, may be installed, on any airplane, provided that the inspections specified in paragraph (h) of this AD are accomplished at the time specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.

Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the following service bulletins are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD:

(1) For Model A300 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0450, excluding Appendix 01, dated December 1, 2005.

(2) For Model A300-600 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6097, excluding Appendix 01, dated December 1, 2005.