Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17960 · Landing gear
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) of this AD; certificated in any category; all serial numbers.
(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(5) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4- 600R series airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of rupture of the uplock springs of the nose landing gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG) doors and legs. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the uplock springs of the NLG and MLG doors and legs for broken and damaged springs, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper free fall extension of the MLG or NLG, which could lead to possible loss of control of the airplane on the ground, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform a detailed inspection of the uplock springs of the MLG and NLG legs and doors for broken and damaged springs, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0465, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2013 (for Model A300 series airplanes).
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6111, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2013 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-32-2147, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2013 (for Model A310 series airplanes).
The corrective actions required by paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD do not constitute terminating actions for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, one spring on the MLG or NLG door uplock is found broken or damaged, within 2 months after the inspection, replace the affected MLG or NLG door uplock, as applicable, with a serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, one spring on the MLG or NLG leg uplock is found broken or damaged, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight cycles. Replacement of any affected leg uplock, as required by paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(i) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, the second free fall spring on the MLG or NLG leg uplock is found broken or damaged, before further flight, replace the affected MLG or NLG leg uplock, as applicable, with a serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
(ii) Within 1,000 flight cycles after doing the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD during which the spring has been found broken, replace the affected MLG or NLG leg uplock, as applicable, with a serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, two free fall springs on the same MLG or NLG leg uplock are found broken or damaged, before further flight, replace the affected MLG or NLG leg uplock, as applicable, with a serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
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.
