Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17420 · Landing gear
Airbus 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 Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers, except those on which Airbus modification 54500 has been embodied in production.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that revealed the wheel axles of the main landing gear (MLG) were machined with a radius as small as 0.4 millimeters. This AD requires replacing the wheel axle of the MLG with a serviceable part. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue of the wheel axle of the MLG, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an affected MLG wheel axle is defined as a MLG axle having a part number and serial number specified in Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A330-32A-3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-32A-4292, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
(2) After removal from an airplane, an affected MLG wheel axle that has reached its life limit is considered an unserviceable part.
(3) The term “life limit” used in this AD means a post-repair life limit.
At the later of the times specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD: Replace all affected MLG wheel axles with serviceable parts, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A330-32A-3256, Revision 01, including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-32A-4292, Revision 01, including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
(1) Before the accumulation of the applicable landings or flight hours specified in table 1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. The “Post-repair MLG Wheel Axle Life Limit” must be counted from the date of installation of the MLG wheel axle on an airplane which occurs after the date of repair specified in Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus AOT A330-32A-3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-32A-4292, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
| Affected airplanes | Post-repair MLG wheel axle life limit, whichever occurs first (see paragraph (h)(1) of this AD) |
|---|---|
| Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes, weight variant (WV) 00 | 4,700 landings or 22,250 flight hours. |
| Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes, WV00 | 4,600 landings or 29,000 flight hours. |
| Model A340-313 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 | 3,950 landings or 16,900 flight hours. |
| Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes, WV00 and WV01 | 5,050 landings or 15,200 flight hours. |
| Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243, WV02, WV05, and WV06 | 4,450 landings or 17,900 flight hours. |
| Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, and -343 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 | 5,150 landings or 13,450 flight hours. |
(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD without exceeding the applicable landings or flight hours specified in table 2 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. The “Post-repair MLG Wheel Axle Flight Hours or Landings,... not to be Exceeded” must be counted from the date of installation of the MLG wheel axle on an airplane, which occurs after the date of repair specified in the Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus AOT A330-32A-3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-32A-4292, Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
| Affected airplanes | Post-repair MLG wheel axle flight hours or landings, whichever occurs first, not to be exceeded (see paragraph (h)(2) of this AD) |
|---|---|
| Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes, WV00 | 7,830 landings or 37,080 flight hours. |
| Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes, WV00 | 7,660 landings or 48,330 flight hours. |
| Model A340-313 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 | 6,580 landings or 28,160 flight hours. |
| Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes, WV00 and WV01 | 8,410 landings or 25,330 flight hours. |
| Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes, WV02, WV05, and WV06 | 7,410 landings or 29,830 flight hours. |
| Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, and -343 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 | 8,580 landings or 22,580 flight hours. |
As of the effective date of this AD: An affected MLG wheel axle may be installed on an airplane, provided the MLG wheel axle has not exceeded the limits specified in table 1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD and it is replaced with a serviceable part before reaching the life limit defined in table 1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.
