Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17564 · Doors
Airbus Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2018-02-17. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -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 (MSNs).
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and - 300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked adjacent frame forks of a forward cargo door. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracks and sheared, loose, or missing rivets of the forward cargo door and, for certain airplanes, of the aft cargo door, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked or ruptured cargo door frames, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the forward or aft cargo door.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
For Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 airplanes up to MSN 0162 inclusive, except those on which Airbus Service Bulletin A330-52-3044 has been embodied in service; and for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes up to MSN 0164 inclusive, except those on which Airbus Service Bulletin A340-52-4054 has been embodied in service: Before the accumulation of 15,800 total flight cycles since the airplane's first flight or within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection of the outer skin rivets at the frame fork end of frame (FR)60 and FR60A of the aft cargo door for sheared, loose, or missing rivets; and do a detailed inspection of the whole FR60 and FR60A forks for cracking and for sheared, loose, or missing rivets at the frame web and flanges; in accordance with Airbus Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) A330-A52L001-12, dated December 3, 2012; or Airbus AOT A340-A52L002-12, dated December 3, 2012; as applicable. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 flight cycles.
Within the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of outer skin rivets at the frame fork end of FR21 and FR20B of the forward cargo door for sheared, loose, or missing rivets; and do a detailed inspection of the whole FR21 and FR20B forks for cracks and for sheared, loose, or missing rivets at the frame web and flanges; in accordance with Airbus AOT A330-A52L003-12, dated December 3, 2012; or Airbus AOT A340-A52L004-12, dated December 3, 2012; as applicable. Repeat this inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 800 flight cycles.
(1) For airplanes having less than 18,400 total flight cycles since the airplane's first flight as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 10,600 total flight cycles since the airplane's first flight, or within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For airplanes having 18,400 total flight cycles or more since the airplane's first flight as of the effective date of this AD: Within 50 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
If any cracking, or sheared, loose, or missing rivet is found during any inspection required by this AD, before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).
Doing the repair required by paragraph (i) of this AD is not terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD for that cargo door, unless the repair instruction specifically states it is terminating action.
