Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16679 · Periodic inspections
Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all serial numbers.
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 (j)(1) 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.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that supersedes an existing AD. 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: * * * * * The revision 01 of Airbus A340 ALS [Airworthiness Limitations section] Part 3 introduces more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with this revision constitutes an unsafe condition. * * * * * The unsafe condition is a safety-significant latent failure that would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Unless already done, within 3 months after January 27, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-01-07), revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 00, dated July 31, 2008. Accomplish the actions specified in the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 00, dated July 31, 2008, at the times specified in the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 00, dated July 31, 2008; and in accordance with the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 00, dated July 31, 2008; except as provided by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, and except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(1) Count the associated interval for any new task from January 27, 2010, except that Airbus A340 CMR Task 212100-00001-1-C must be performed at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Before the accumulation of 2,600 total flight hours since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness.
(ii) Within 800 flight hours or 3 months, whichever comes first, after the approval date of the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 00, dated July 31, 2008.
(2) Count the associated interval for any revised task from the previous performance of the task.
(3) Doing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 2007-05-08, Amendment 39-14969, for that airplane only.
Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated December 15, 2009. The initial compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated December 15, 2009, are at the later of the times specified in the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated December 15, 2009, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD. Doing the revision required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane only.
(i) After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used, other than those specified in Airbus A340 ALS, Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated December 15, 2009, unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2010-0047, dated March 19, 2010, specifies both revising the maintenance program to include airworthiness limitations, and doing certain repetitive actions (e.g., inspections) and/or maintaining CDCCLs, this AD only requires the revision. Requiring a revision of the maintenance program, rather than requiring individual repetitive actions and/or maintaining CDCCLs, requires operators to record AD compliance only at the time the revision is made. Repetitive actions and/or maintaining CDCCLs specified in the airworthiness limitations must be complied with in accordance with 14 CFR 91.403(c).
