Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17616 · Wings
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, and B4-622R airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers, except airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10161 has been incorporated in production.
We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-12-11, for certain Model A300 B4-600 and Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes. AD 2000-12-11 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the bolt holes inboard and outboard of rib 9 on the bottom booms of the front and rear wing spars, and repair if necessary. This new AD reduces the initial inspection compliance time and repetitive inspection interval. This AD was prompted by a fleet survey and an updated fatigue and damage tolerance analysis indicating a high risk for fatigue cracking on the front and rear spar bottom booms. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the bolt holes of the wing spars, which could result in reduced structural integrity of a wing spar.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD: Perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect fatigue cracking of the bolt holes inboard and outboard of rib 9 on the bottom booms of the front and rear wing spars, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instruction of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6037, Revision 04, dated February 24, 2011, except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed the applicable time specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(1) For normal range airplanes, at the later of the times in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Within 14,100 flight cycles or 30,400 flight hours since airplane first flight or within 14,100 flight cycles or 30,400 flight hours since airplane modification done as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6039 (which is not incorporated by reference in this AD), whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 1,600 flight cycles or 3,400 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For short range airplanes, at the later of the times in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Within 15,200 flight cycles or 22,800 flight hours since airplane first flight, or since airplane modification done as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6039 (which is not incorporated by reference in this AD), whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 1,700 flight cycles or 2,500 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) For normal range airplanes: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,900 flight cycles or 8,400 flight hours, whichever occurs first.
(2) For short range airplanes: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,200 flight cycles or 6,300 flight hours, whichever occurs first.
If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the cracking including applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6037, Revision 04, dated February 24, 2011, except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Do related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at intervals not to exceed the applicable time specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. Corrective actions required by this paragraph do not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
For purposes of this AD, short range airplanes are those with an average flight time lower than 1.5 flight hours, and normal range airplanes are those with an average flight time equal to or higher than 1.5 flight hours.
Where the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6037, Revision 04, dated February 24, 2011, specify contacting Airbus for an approved repair: Before further flight, contact either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent), for instructions and do those instructions.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
