Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16594 · Stabilizers
Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 and A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, and A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers, if equipped with any of the elevator part numbers (P/N) identified in Table 1 of this AD (“ZZ” indicates a number from 00 up to 99 inclusive).
| For the left-hand elevator | For the right-hand elevator |
|---|---|
| P/N F55280000000ZZ | P/N F55280000001ZZ |
| P/N F55280000002ZZ | P/N F55280000003ZZ |
| P/N F55280000004ZZ | P/N F55280000005ZZ |
| P/N F55280000006ZZ | P/N F55280000007ZZ |
| P/N F55280000008ZZ | P/N F55280000009ZZ |
| P/N F55280000012ZZ | P/N F55280000013ZZ |
| P/N F55280002000ZZ | P/N F55280002001ZZ |
| P/N F55280005000ZZ | P/N F55280005001ZZ |
| P/N F55280005002ZZ | P/N F55280005003ZZ |
| P/N F55280005004ZZ | P/N F55280005005ZZ |
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to 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.
Where Airbus Service Bulletins A330-55-3032 and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, both dated December 22, 2003; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005; recommend contacting Airbus for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the condition according to a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent); or EASA (or its delegated agent).
(h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, both dated December 22, 2003; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005; specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(i) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD, perform an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of the left- and right-hand elevator assemblies. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number and serial number of each elevator assembly can be conclusively determined from that review. If neither elevator assembly has a part number and serial number combination identified in Table 2 of this AD, no further action is required by this paragraph. If either elevator assembly has a part number and serial number combination identified in Table 2 of this AD, do paragraph (j) of this AD. Doing the actions in paragraph (k) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD.
(1) Within 10 years after the date of the first flight of the airplane, or before the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles, whichever is first.
(2) Within 18 months after November 16, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-20-32).
| Part | Affected part Nos. | Affected serial Nos. |
|---|---|---|
| Left-hand elevator assembly | F55280000000, F55280000004 | CG1002 through CG1091 inclusive, CG1093, CG1094, CG2001. |
| Right-hand elevator assembly | F55280000001, F55280000005 | CG1002 through CG1094 inclusive, CG2001. |
For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes: If the left- or right-hand elevator assembly has a part number and serial number combination identified in Table 2 of this AD, before further flight after accomplishing paragraph (i) of this AD, do the actions in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, as applicable. Doing the actions in paragraph (k) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD.
(1) Perform an endoscopic inspection to detect damage (such as a scratch, disbonding, or a tear), and a tap test and a thermographic inspection to detect signs of moisture penetration, to the upper and lower elevator panels on both sides of the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated December 22, 2003, as applicable; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005, as applicable; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
(2) If any damage is found, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions (including, but not limited to, repeating the thermographic inspection to determine the size of the damaged area, and performing a tap test around the areas where moisture is indicated), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated December 22, 2003, as applicable; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005, as applicable; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
(3) Re-protect the elevator assembly (including performing a general visual inspection to determine if the drainage holes are clean, a general visual inspection to determine the condition of the sealant covering the static discharges contour, and applicable corrective actions), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated December 22, 2003, as applicable; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005, as applicable; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
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.”
Within the applicable time in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection for discrepancies (scratches, debonding, tears, and indications of trapped water), on the elevator upper and lower skin panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3039 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or A340-55-4035 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated August 7, 2009. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 72 months from the date of the elevator's first flight after the last inspection. Doing the special detailed inspection specified in this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD.
(1) For elevators identified in Table 1 of this AD that have not been inspected in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes) both dated December 22, 2003; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005: Within 144 months since the date of the elevator's first flight on any airplane, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For elevators identified in Table 1 of this AD that have been inspected in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes) both dated December 22, 2003; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005: Within 72 months since the date of the elevator's first flight on any airplane after accomplishing Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes) both dated December 22, 2003; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3032 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4029, (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes) both Revision 1, both dated March 29, 2005; as applicable; or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (k) of this AD, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions (including applicable inspections and repair), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3039 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes) or A340-55-4035 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated August 7, 2009; or contact Airbus for instructions and follow their corrective actions.
For elevators on which any action required by paragraph (k) or (l) of this AD is done: Before the elevator's next flight, do a re-protection (including all applicable inspections and corrective actions), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3039 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes); or A340-55-4035 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes), both dated August 7, 2009.
Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of the inspection required by paragraph (k) of this AD to Airbus, as specified in Appendix 1 of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3039, dated August 7, 2009; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4035, dated August 7, 2009; as applicable; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (n)(1) or (n)(2) of this AD. The report must include the information identified in Appendix 1 of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-55-3039, dated August 7, 2009; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-55-4035, dated August 7, 2009; as applicable.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any elevator identified in Table 1 of this AD on any airplane, unless the elevator has been inspected in accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD and all applicable corrective actions have been done.
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
