Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17769 · Navigation
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -300 and -200 Freighter series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that an airplane equipped with Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors installed with conic plates recently experienced blockage of all sensors during climb, leading to autopilot disconnection and activation of the alpha protection (Alpha Prot) when Mach number was increased. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for addressing AOA sensor blockage. This AD also requires replacing the AOA sensor conic plates with AOA sensor flat plates, which is a terminating action for the AFM revision. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced control 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.
For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Emergency Procedures of the Airbus A330 and A340 Airplane Flight Manuals (AFMs), by incorporating Airbus A330 Temporary Revision TR293, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; or Airbus A340 Temporary Revision TR294, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; as applicable; to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for addressing AOA sensor blockage. This can be done by inserting Airbus A330 Temporary Revision TR293, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; or Airbus A340 Temporary Revision TR294, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; into the applicable AFM. When the information in Airbus A330 Temporary Revision TR293, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; or Airbus A340 Temporary Revision TR294, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012; is included in the general revisions of the applicable AFM, the general revisions may be incorporated into the AFM, and the temporary revisions may be removed.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers, on which Airbus modification 201609 or 201610 has been embodied in production; or on which Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3255 has been embodied in service.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers, on which Airbus modification 201609 or 201610 has been embodied in production; or on which Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4250 or A340-34-5081 has been embodied in service.
Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, replace all AOA sensor conic plates having part number (P/N) F3411060200000 or P/N F3411060900000 with an applicable AOA sensor flat plate identified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD. Performing this replacement constitutes terminating action for the AFM revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD; and Airbus A330 Temporary Revision TR293, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012, and Airbus A340 Temporary Revision TR294, Issue 1.0, dated December 4, 2012, to the Airbus A330 and A340 AFMs, as applicable, must be removed from the AFM before further flight after doing the replacement.
(1) Replace with a flat plate having P/N F3411007920200 or P/N F3411007920300, as applicable, in accordance with the applicable service information specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i), (h)(1)(ii), or (h)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-34-3293, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 12, 2013.
(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-34-4273, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 12, 2013.
(iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-34-5093, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated June 12, 2013.
(2) Replace with a flat plate having P/N F3411007920000 or P/N F3411007920100, in accordance with 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.
For airplanes on which any AOA sensor conic plate has been replaced with an AOA sensor flat plate, in accordance with the applicable service information specified in paragraph (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD: Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the installation of the AOA sensor flat plates so that the plates are flush with the fuselage, in accordance with the applicable service information identified in paragraph (h)(1)(i), (h)(1)(ii), or (h)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-34-3293, including Appendix 01, dated January 31, 2013.
(2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-34-4273, including Appendix 01, dated January 30, 2013.
(3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-34-5093, including Appendix 01, dated January 30, 2013.
For airplanes on which Airbus modification 203285 (improved AOA flat plate protection treatment) has been embodied in production: The actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD are not required, provided that, since first flight, no AOA probe conic plate having P/N F3411060200000 or P/N F3411060900000 has been installed.
