Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16963 · Landing gear
Airbus Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2015-16-02. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers; except airplanes on which Airbus modification 54500 has been embodied in production; and except airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3212 or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4256 has been embodied in service; as applicable to airplane model.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A340-200 series airplanes; and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that three failures of the retraction bracket occurred during fatigue testing before the calculated life limit of the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires repetitive replacement of the affected retraction bracket of the MLG. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the retraction bracket, which could result in a MLG extension with no damping, and consequent structural damage of the MLG.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on the retraction brackets of the MLG or within 900 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace the affected retraction bracket of the MLG specified in table 1 of this AD with a serviceable part, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, or European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on any retraction bracket of the MLG identified in table 1 of this AD, replace the retraction bracket with a serviceable part, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, or EASA (or its delegated
| Nomenclature | Part No. |
|---|---|
| Retraction Bracket of the MLG | 201478303 |
| 201478304 | |
| 201478305 | |
| 201478306 | |
| 201478307 | |
| 201478308 | |
| 201428380 | |
| 201428381 | |
| 201428382 | |
| 201428383 | |
| 201428384 | |
| 201428385 | |
| 201428378 | |
| 201428379 | |
| 201428351 | |
| 201428352 |
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Additional guidance for the replacement can be found in Task 32-11-11-000-804-A, Removal of the MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, and Task 32-11-11-400-804-A, Installation of the MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, of Subsection 32-11-11 of Chapter 32 of the Airbus A330 or A340 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, as applicable.
(1) For purposes of this AD, “total landings” is defined as the accumulated landings since the initial entry of the MLG retraction bracket into service on any airplane.
(2) For purposes of this AD, the initial entry into service for the transferable systems components/items is defined as the date at which the component/item accomplishes the first flight for which it will undertake its intended function.
