Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18033 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-20-06 for all Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes. AD 2013-20-06 required revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This new AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate certain other maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that existing maintenance requirements are not adequate to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. We are issuing this AD to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. Such aging effects could change the characteristics of systems' life-limited components leading to an increased potential for failure, which, in isolation or in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, could result in failure of certain life limited parts, which could reduce the structural integrity or the controllability of the airplane.
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 03, dated November 15, 2012. The initial compliance times for the actions are within the applicable compliance time specified in the Record of Revisions page of Airbus A340 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 03, dated November 15, 2012, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(1) Where Airbus A340 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 03, dated November 15, 2012, defines a calendar compliance time for the modification of spoiler servo-controls having part numbers MZ4339390-01X; MZ4306000-01X; MZ4339390-02X; MZ4306000-02X; MZ4339390-10X; and MZ4306000-10X as “March 5, 2010,” the calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011 (18 months after October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009)).
(2) Where Note 6 of “ATA 27-64, Flight Control—Spoiler Hydraulic Actuation, (Fig. 09),” of Sub-part 4-2-1, Life Limits, of Sub-part 4-2, Systems Life—Limited Components, of the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 03, dated November 15, 2012, defines a calendar date of “September 5, 2008,” as a date for the determination of accumulated flight cycles since the aircraft's initial entry into service, the calendar compliance time is October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009)).
(3) Where Note 6 of “ATA 27-64 Flight Control—Spoiler Hydraulic Actuation, (Fig. 09),” of Sub-part 4-2-1, Life Limits, of Sub-part 4-2, Systems Life—Limited Components, of the Airbus A340 ALS, Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 03, dated November 15, 2012, defines a calendar compliance time of “March 5, 2010,” for the modification of affected servo-controls, the calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011 (18 months after October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009)).
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
Accomplishing the revision of the maintenance program and complying with all applicable instructions and airworthiness limitations required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the requirements of the ADs specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(9) of this AD for Model A340 airplanes only.
(1) AD 2003-14-11, Amendment 39-13230 (68 FR 41521, July 14, 2003).
(2) AD 2004-11-08, Amendment 39-13654 (69 FR 31874, June 8, 2004).
(3) AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004).
(4) AD 2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004).
(5) AD 2007-05-12, Amendment 39-14973 (72 FR 10057, March 7, 2007).
(6) AD 2008-06-07, Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15, 2008 (73 FR 20367)).
(7) AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009).
(8) AD 2010-15-02, Amendment 39-16368 (75 FR 42589, July 22, 2010).
(9) AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012).
