Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17712 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-24-09 which applied to certain Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2011-24-09 requires inspections to verify electrical bonding for the water drain system and ventilation intake system, and modification if necessary. This new AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations, and adds additional airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that existing maintenance requirements are not adequate to address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss 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) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011; and Airbus A340 Variation to revision 00 of ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL), dated January 23, 2012 (variation reference 0FVLG110039/C0S).
(2) Comply with all applicable instructions and airworthiness limitations included in A340 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011; and Airbus A340 Variation to revision 00 of ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL), dated January 23, 2012 (variation reference 0FVLG110039/C0S), except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. The initial compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, are at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD; except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(i) Within the applicable compliance times specified in Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, including the Record of Revisions pages of A340 ALS, Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011.
(ii) Within 3 months after accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
For the tasks specified in the table in Sub-Part 5-4 Repetitive Maintenance/Inspections Tasks of Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, the initial compliance times are at the later of the times specified in paragraph (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Before the accumulation of the applicable compliance time specified in the “Interval” column on airplanes identified in the “Applicability” column.
(2) Within 3 months after accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
Where Airbus A340 ALS Part 5, Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, specifies a calendar compliance time for modifying the control circuit for the fuel pump of the center fuel tank (for Model A340-200 and A340-300 airplanes), and of the center and rear center fuel tanks (for Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes), and installing ground fault interrupters to the center tank fuel pump control circuit, the calendar compliance time is September 18, 2016 (48 months after the effective date of AD 2012-16-05, Amendment 39-17152 (77 FR 48425, August 14, 2012)).
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used, except as defined in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, or unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
Accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD terminates the requirements of the ADs specified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(6) of this AD, for Airbus Model A340 airplanes only.
(1) AD 2006-21-08, Amendment 39-14793 (71 FR 61639, October 19, 2006).
(2) AD 2007-14-01, Amendment 39-15123 (72 FR 38006, July 12, 2007).
(3) AD 2008-25-02, Amendment 39-15760 (73 FR 75307, December 11, 2008).
(4) AD 2010-04-09, Amendment 39-16202 (75 FR 7940, February 23, 2010; as corrected in the Federal Register on March 3, 2010 (75 FR 9515).
(5) AD 2011-01-02, Amendment 39-16555 (76 FR 432, January 5, 2011).
(6) AD 2012-16-05, Amendment 39-17152 (77 FR 48425, August 14, 2012).
