Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18655 · Equipment/furnishings
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, all manufacturer serial numbers, except those that have embodied Airbus Modification 40161 in production.
(1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(4) Airbus Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, Model A330-300, Model A340-200, and Model A340- 300 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of certain escape slides on the left and right sides of the airplane, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the aspirator on certain escape slides might have been damaged because of incorrect packing during overhaul. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged aspirators on escape slides. Failure of an aspirator to inflate an escape slide could prevent deployment of the escape slide during an emergency, possibly resulting in reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane and consequent injury to occupants.
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Do an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of the door 3, Type 1, escape slides on the left and right sides of the airplane, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A25L009-16, dated July 7, 2016. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number and serial number of the door 3, Type 1, escape slides can be conclusively determined from that review.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airbus AOT A25L009-16, dated July 7, 2016, lists the corresponding airplane manufacturer serial numbers on which the affected slides (specified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this AD) were re-installed after the last maintenance. That list of airplane manufacturer serial numbers is for information only because a potentially affected slide might have been removed from an airplane and later re-installed on another airplane.
| Slide part No. | Slide serial No. |
|---|---|
| 7A1509-027 | AD0918, AD0975, AD0979, AD1111, and AD1155. |
| 7A1509-037 | AD0488, AD0759, AD0942, AD0960, AD1025, AD1033, AD1034, AD1080, and AD1184. |
| 7A1509-123 | AD1231, AD1232, AD1450, AD1565, AD1730, AD1737, AD1805, AD1822, and AD1860. |
| 7A1509-125 | AD1769, AD1780, AD1781, AD1816, AD1834, AD1841, AD1862, AD1869, AD2066, AD2103, AD2104, AD2178, AD2223, AD2263, AD2279, AD2301, AD2407, AD2409, and AD2497. |
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any door 3, Type 1, escape slide having a part number and a serial number identified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this AD is found: At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, replace each affected door 3, Type 1, escape slide with a serviceable escape slide, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A25L009-16, dated July 7, 2016.
(1) For affected slides on both the left and right sides of the airplane: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, after identification as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, replace at least one slide; and, within 10 months or 4,100 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, replace the second slide.
(2) For one affected slide on either the left or right side of the airplane: Within 10 months or 4,100 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, replace the slide.
For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable escape slide is a brand new escape slide or one that has a part number and serial number identified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (i) and (j) of this AD and was overhauled after May 1, 2016.
As of the effective date of this AD, an affected slide having a part number and serial number identified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this AD may be installed on any airplane at the door 3, Type 1, position, provided it can be positively determined that the slide was overhauled after May 1, 2016.
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.
Aircraft
