Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18572 · Wings
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a report of cracking of the lower tension bolt area at the rib one junction (both sides) of the lower wing. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fasteners and of the fitting around the fastener holes at the frame (FR) 40 lower wing location, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct crack initiation of the fittings of the FR40 lower wing locations, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do an HFEC inspection for cracking of fasteners 1 through 3 at the left-hand and right-hand sides of the FR40 lower junction, and of the fitting around the fastener holes, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0257, excluding Appendix 01 and including Appendix 02, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6115, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes). If no cracking is found, repeat the HFEC inspection at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours until a rototest inspection required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD has been done. Where Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6115, dated April 4, 2014, refers to Structural Repair Manual (SRM) 51-40-13 for applying special protection, the correct reference is SRM 51-23-20; and to SRM 51-40-12 for applying paint coatings, the correct reference is SRM 51-23-10.
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove the fasteners and measure the diameter of the fastener holes; and, before further flight, do the applicable actions required by paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0257, excluding Appendix 01 and including Appendix 02, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6115, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes).
(1) If one or more of the hole diameters is outside the tolerance of the nominal diameter, and outside the tolerance of the first and second oversize: Do the applicable corrective actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD.
(2) If all of the hole diameters are within the tolerance of the nominal diameter or the first or second oversize: Do detailed and rototest inspections for cracking of the fastener holes at the left-hand and right-hand sides of the FR40 lower junction, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0257, excluding Appendix 01 and including Appendix 02, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6115, dated April 4, 2014 (for Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes). If no cracking is found, before further flight, install new fasteners of the same diameter in special clearance fit for fasteners 1 through 3 of the FR40 lower junction, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0257, excluding Appendix 01 and including Appendix 02, dated April 4, 2014; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6115, dated April 4, 2014. Repeat the rototest inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7,000 flight cycles. Accomplishment of a rototest inspection required by this paragraph terminates the repetitive HFEC inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
If, during any inspection required by this AD, any crack is found, or one or more of the hole diameters is outside the tolerance of the nominal diameter, and outside the tolerance of the first and second oversize: Repair before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).
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.
