Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16215 · Wings
Airbus Model A340-541 and -642 Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes, certificated in any category; all serial numbers, except those on which Airbus Modification 56026 has been accomplished in production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5010 has been accomplished in service.
We are adopting a new 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:
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Do the following actions.
(1) At the applicable time specified in the table titled, “THRESHOLDS” in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-57-5011, dated June 27, 2007, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; except that where the table expresses times in terms of “flight cycles” and “flight hours,” those terms mean “total flight cycles” and “total flight hours” for purposes of this AD: Perform the NDT inspections of the cruciform fitting radius at Frame 47 on the right-hand and left-hand sides, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-57-5011, dated June 27, 2007.
(2) Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD using Appendix 01 of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-57-5011, dated June 27, 2007, to Airbus, Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex France, Attn: SDC32 Technical Data and Documentation Services; fax (+33) 5 61 93 28 06; e-mail sb.reporting@airbus.com; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) If no crack is detected during an inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, apply sealant before further flight, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-57-5011, dated June 27, 2007. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD thereafter at the applicable interval specified in paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-57-5011, dated June 27, 2007.
(4) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, contact Airbus to get repair instructions and repair before further flight.
(5) Modifying the rear spar vertical cruciform at frame 47 in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5010, Revision 01, dated April 2, 2008, terminates the inspection requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(3) of this AD.
(6) After accomplishing the initial inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD or after the modification specified in paragraph (g)(5) of this AD is done, the limitation Tasks 57.18.16 (10 different tasks) of Airbus A340-500/600 Airworthiness Limitation Items need not be done.
(7) Modifying the rear spar vertical cruciform at frame 47 is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g)(5) of this AD if done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5010, dated September 28, 2007.
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
