Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15925 · Airbus Model A300 Airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Model A310 Airplanes
Airbus Model A300 Airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Model A310 Airplanes
This AD applies to all Model A300 airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (m) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529-1.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to the airplanes identified above. That AD currently requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include a new airplane maintenance manual task that specifies a detailed inspection after each ram air turbine (RAT) retraction. That existing AD also currently requires, for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection to detect breaks in the bottom flange fitting of the RAT and corrective actions, if necessary; for certain airplanes, an adjustment of the ejection jack; and, for certain other airplanes, replacement of the aluminum part with an improved steel part. This AD also continues to require certain actions for additional airplanes and revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include procedures for replacing the RAT swivel coupling fork fitting with a new steel part only. This AD results from a report that an additional swivel coupling of the RAT yoke fitting was found cracked during the accomplishment of the requirements of the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent misrigging of the ejection jack of the RAT and to ensure removal of any RAT yoke fitting made from aluminum material. Such conditions could result in a broken or cracked swivel coupling and consequent failure of the RAT yoke fitting, which could result in the loss of RAT function and possible loss of critical flight control systems in the event of certain emergency situations.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
For Model A300 airplanes, Model A300-600 series airplanes, and Model A310 airplanes equipped with Dowty Rotol RATs, except airplanes on which Airbus Modification 12986 has been done: Within 12 months after March 12, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-03-09), replace the RAT swivel coupling fork fitting with a new steel fitting, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0244, dated March 4, 2005, or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0244, Revision 02, dated November 19, 2007 (for Model A300 airplanes); Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, dated February 23, 2005, or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, dated March 1, 2005, or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A310 airplanes); except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
For all airplanes: Within 3 months after March 12, 2007, incorporate information into the FAA-approved maintenance program to specify an inspection for breaks of the bottom flange of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting after each RAT retraction; and replacement of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting with a new aluminum or steel part as applicable; in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent); or the European Aviation Safety Agency (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, except as provided by paragraphs (l) and (m) of this AD, no alternative inspection intervals may be approved for the bottom flange of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting.
Note 2: Guidance on the inspection and replacement procedures specified in paragraph (g) of this AD can be found in these documents as applicable: • Airbus A300-600 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301, dated June 1, 2005. • Airbus A310 AMM, Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301, dated June 1, 2005. • Airbus A300 AMM Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301, dated March 1, 2006.
Note 3: After revising the maintenance program to include the required periodic inspections according to paragraph (g) or (l) of this AD, operators do not need to make a maintenance log entry to show compliance with this AD every time those inspections are accomplished thereafter.
As of the effective date of this AD, use only the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A310 series airplanes); Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0244, Revision 02, dated November 19, 2007 (for Model A300 airplanes), to do the replacement required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
(i) For airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD: Before 102 months since first flight, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the aluminum yoke fitting of the swivel coupling of the RAT with a new steel yoke fitting, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).
| Model— | Except for those airplanes on which— | Or on which— |
|---|---|---|
| (1) A310 series airplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand RAT | Airbus Modification 12986 has been done in production | Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, dated March 1, 2005; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007; has been done in service. |
| (2) A300-600 series airplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand RAT | Airbus Modification 12986 has been done in production | Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, dated February 23, 2005; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007; has been done in service. |
Replacements done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2086, dated March 1, 2005 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6099, dated February 23, 2005 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD.
(k) Replacements done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0244, Revision 01, dated September 3, 2007 (for Model A300 airplanes), are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD for the affected airplanes.
For all airplanes: Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, incorporate information into the FAA-approved maintenance program to specify an inspection for breaks of the bottom flange of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting after each RAT retraction; and replacement of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting with a new steel part; in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or European Aviation Safety Agency (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, except as provided by paragraph (m) of this AD, no alternative inspection intervals may be approved for the bottom flange of the RAT swivel coupling yoke fitting. Accomplishing this incorporation terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
Note 4: Guidance on the inspection and replacement procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD can be found in these documents as applicable: • Airbus A300-600 AMM, Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301. • Airbus A310 AMM, Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301. • Airbus A300 AMM Chapter 29-25-00, Page Block 301.
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.
