Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17946 · Air conditioning
Airbus Airplanes
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; Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, and A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the service life limits of the cabin pressure control system (CPCS) safety valves installed on the aft pressure bulkhead were being exceeded. This AD requires repetitive replacement of the CPCS safety valves with serviceable valves. We are issuing this AD to prevent exceeding the service life limits of the CPCS safety valves, which, in the event of a failure, could result in excessive positive or negative differential pressure in the fuselage and consequent incapacitation or injuries to airplane occupants.
(1) For airplanes on which the total number of flight hours accumulated on the CPCS safety valves are known: Replace the CPCS safety valve with a serviceable valve at the later of the times specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD. Replace the valve in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD. Repeat the replacement at intervals not to exceed 50,000 flight hours or 12 years accumulated on the CPCS safety valve, whichever occurs first.
(i) Before the safety valve accumulates 50,000 total flight hours or 12 years since first installation or since the last restoration, as applicable, whichever occurs first.
(ii) Within 26 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes on which the total number of flight hours accumulated on the CPCS safety valve are unknown: Replace the CPCS safety valve with a serviceable valve within 26 months after the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD. Repeat the replacement at intervals not to exceed 50,000 flight hours or 12 years accumulated on the CPCS safety valve, whichever occurs first.
(3) Use the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD to accomplish the specified actions in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-21-3154, Revision 01, dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes).
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-21-4150, Revision 01, dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes).
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-21-5044, Revision 01, dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A340-500 and A340-600 series airplanes).
For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable CPCS safety valve is a safety valve which has not exceeded the following service life limits, as applicable: 12 years since its manufacturing date, or 50,000 total flight hours since first installation on an airplane, whichever occurs first; or 12 years since its last restoration, or 50,000 total flight hours since its last restoration, whichever occurs first.
Accomplishment of Task 21.31.00/09, Remove Safety Valve for Restoration, of Section C-21, Air Conditioning, of Section C, Systems and Power-plant Section, of the Airbus A330 Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated June 2013; or Airbus A340 Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated June 2013; as applicable; constitutes compliance with any replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
