Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18255 · Exhaust
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain hinge sleeves on the cowl doors of the thrust reverser units (TRUs) were not heat treated. This AD requires replacing the sleeves of certain hinges on the cowl doors of the TRUs with new parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent, in the event of a fan-blade-off event due to high vibration, in-flight loss of TRU heavy components, which might damage airplane structure or control surfaces and consequently reduce controllability of the airplane.
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Identify the part number of the TRUs, in accordance with the information in Aircelle Service Bulletin 78-AG924, dated September 26, 2012.
If the results of the part identification required by paragraph (g) of this AD reveal that the TRUs are affected: Within the compliance time defined in paragraph (g) of this AD, replace hinge sleeves numbers 3 and 4 of each TRU cowl door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-78-3021, Revision 03, dated October 15, 2014.
Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD: Rolls-Royce Alert Service Bulletin RB.211-78-AG924, dated September 26, 2012, is an additional source of guidance for replacing the TRUs and is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
Modifying an airplane by incorporating Airbus Modification 202463 in production terminates the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD for that airplane.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a TRU on any airplane unless it has been determined, using Aircelle Service Bulletin 78-AG924, dated September 26, 2012, that the cowl door hinge sleeves installed on the TRU are not affected by the requirements 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.
