Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18564 · Navigation
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07-30 for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes, and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, AD 2016-07-30 required replacing certain Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors (probes) with certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, AD 2016-07-30 also required inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. This new AD requires the same actions as AD 2016-07-30. This new AD was prompted by a report of a typographical error in the regulatory text of AD 2016-07-30. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) activation due to blocked AOA probes, which could result in a continuous nose-down command and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. For airplanes on which any UTAS AOA sensor having part number (P/N) 0861ED or P/N 0861ED2 is installed: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, replace all Captain and First Officer AOA sensors (probes) having P/N 0861ED or 0861ED2 with AOA sensors having Thales P/N C16291AB, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3315, dated March 26, 2015 (for Model A330 airplanes).
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4294, dated March 26, 2015 (for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes).
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-5105, dated March 26, 2015 (for Model A340-500 and -600 airplanes).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. Do the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes with AOA sensors having P/N 0861ED: Within 22 months after May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30).
(2) For airplanes with AOA sensors having P/N 0861ED2: Within 7 months after May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. For airplanes on which any SEXTANT/THOMSON AOA sensor having P/N 45150320 is installed: Within 22 months after May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30), replace all SEXTANT/THOMSON AOA sensors (probes) having P/N 45150320 with AOA sensors having Thales P/N C16291AB, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3228, dated October 7, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes).
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4234, dated October 7, 2009 (for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. For airplanes on which one or more Thales AOA sensor having P/N C16291AA is installed: Before the accumulation of 17,000 total flight hours on the AOA sensor since first installation on an airplane, or within 6 months after May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30), whichever occurs later; and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,800 flight hours; do a detailed inspection of the three AOA sensors at FINs 3FP1, 3FP2, and 3FP3 for discrepancies (e.g., the vane of the sensor does not deice properly), and a functional heating test of each AOA sensor having P/N C16291AA, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3215, Revision 03, dated July 23, 2015 (for Model A330 airplanes).
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4215, Revision 03, dated July 27, 2015 (for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes).
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-5062, Revision 02, dated July 24, 2015 (for Model A340-500 and -600 airplanes).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD, or if any test is failed during the heating test required by paragraph (j) of this AD: Before further flight, replace all affected AOA sensors with sensors identified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD.
(1) Replace with AOA sensors having Thales P/N C16291AA, on which the inspection and test required by paragraph (j) of this AD were passed.
(2) Replace with AOA sensors having Thales P/N C16291AB.
This paragraph restates the credit provided in paragraph (l) of AD 2016-07-30, with a change to a paragraph reference. This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30), using the applicable service information specified in paragraphs (l)(1), (l)(2), and (l)(3) of this AD, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3215, Revision 02, dated March 29, 2010. (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4215, Revision 02, dated March 29, 2010.
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-5062, Revision 01, dated March 29, 2010.
This paragraph restates the exception specified in paragraph (m) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes.
(1) The actions specified in paragraphs (g), (i), (j), and (k) of this AD are not required, provided that the conditions specified in paragraphs (m)(1)(i), (m)(1)(ii), and (m)(1)(iii) of this AD are met.
(i) Airbus Modification 58555 (installation of Thales P/N C16291AB AOA sensors) has been embodied in production.
(ii) Airbus Modification 46921 (installation of UTAS AOA sensors) has not been embodied in production.
(iii) No AOA sensor having SEXTANT/THOMSON P/N 45150320 or UTAS P/N 0861ED or P/N 0861ED2 has been installed on the airplane since date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness.
(2) The actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD are not required, provided that all conditions specified in paragraphs (m)(2)(i), (m)(2)(ii), and (m)(2)(iii) of this AD are met.
(i) Only AOA sensors with part numbers approved after the effective date of this AD have been installed.
(ii) The AOA sensor part number is approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).
(iii) The installation is accomplished in accordance with airplane modification instructions approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; the EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA.
This paragraph restates the optional action specified in paragraph (n) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes. Replacement of all Thales AOA sensors having P/N C16291AA with Thales AOA sensors having P/N C16291AB, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (n)(1), (n)(2), or (n)(3) of this AD, terminates the repetitive inspections and functional heating tests required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3228, dated October 7, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes).
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4234, dated October 7, 2009 (for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes).
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-5070, dated October 9, 2009 (for Model A340-500 and -600 airplanes).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD 2016-07-30, with no changes.
(1) For airplanes on which only Thales P/N C16291AB AOA sensors are installed as of May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30): No person may install, on any airplane, a Thales AOA sensor having P/N C16291AA as of May 18, 2016.
(2) For airplanes on which the modification specified in paragraph (n) of this AD has been done: No person may install, on any airplane, a Thales AOA sensor having P/N C16291AA after accomplishing the specified modification.
(3) For airplanes on which Thales P/N C16291AA or P/N C16291AB AOA sensors are installed as of May 18, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-30): No person may install, on any airplane, a UTAS AOA sensor having P/N 0861ED or P/N 0861ED2, or a SEXTANT/THOMSON AOA sensor having P/N 45150320, as of May 18, 2016.
(4) For airplanes on which the replacement required by paragraph (i) of this AD has been done: No person may install, on any airplane, a UTAS AOA sensor having P/N 0861ED or P/N 0861ED2, or a SEXTANT/THOMSON AOA sensor having P/N 45150320, after accomplishing the replacement.
(5) For airplanes on which the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been done: No person may install, on any airplane, a UTAS AOA sensor having P/N 0861ED or P/N 0861ED2, or a SEXTANT/THOMSON AOA sensor having P/N 45150320, after accomplishing the replacement, except that a UTAS AOA sensor having P/N 0861ED may be installed in the standby position of that airplane.
