Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18945 · Landing gear
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all serial numbers, except those airplanes that have embodied Airbus Modification 204421 or Airbus Modification 205289 in production.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-10-03, which applied to all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2013-10-03 required one-time inspections for deformation and damage of the bogie beams of the main landing gear (MLG); repetitive inspections for damage and corrosion of the sliding piston sub-assembly on certain airplanes; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD removes Model A340-500 and 600 series airplanes from the applicability; removes certain one-time inspections of the MLG bogie beams and the sliding piston sub-assembly; revises certain compliance times; and requires replacement of certain MLGs with MLGs having an improved bogie beam, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections on the modified MLG. This AD was prompted by reports of corroded and cracked bogie beams under the bogie stop pad. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
For Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes; equipped with a MLG having part number (P/N) 201252 series, P/N 201490 series, or P/N 10-210 series: Do the applicable actions required by paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes equipped, as of the effective date of this AD, with a MLG that has been previously inspected, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3220, Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4264, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, as applicable: At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection for damage (e.g., cracking and fretting) and corrosion of the MLG sliding piston sub-assembly, bogie beam stop pad, and the bogie beam under the stop pad; and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, Revision 05, including Appendix 1, dated May 4, 2016; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, Revision 02, including Appendix 1, dated January 5, 2016; as applicable; except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection of the MLG sliding piston sub-assembly, bogie beam stop pad, and the bogie beam under the stop pad, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight cycles or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
(2) For airplanes equipped, as of the effective date of this AD, with a MLG that has not been previously inspected, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3220, Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4264, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, as applicable: At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(3) and (h)(4) of this AD, do a detailed inspection for damage (e.g., cracking and fretting) and corrosion of the MLG sliding piston sub-assembly, bogie beam stop pad, and the bogie beam under the stop pad; and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, Revision 05, including Appendix 1, dated May 4, 2016; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, Revision 02, including Appendix 1, dated January 5, 2016; as applicable; except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection of the MLG sliding piston sub-assembly, bogie beam stop pad, and the bogie beam under the stop pad, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight cycles or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
Do the applicable actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), or (h)(4) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD having a MLG P/N 201252 series or P/N 201490 series: Before the accumulation of 2,500 total flight cycles or 24 months, whichever occurs first since the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Since first flight after a MLG overhaul.
(ii) Since first flight after the most recent accomplishment of an inspection of the MLG, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3220, Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4264, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, as applicable.
(2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD having a MLG P/N 10-210 series: Before the accumulation of 126 months since first flight of the MLG on an airplane or since first flight on an airplane after the most recent inspection of the MLG, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3248, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4286, as applicable.
(3) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD having a MLG P/N 201252 series or P/N 201490 series: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (h)(3)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Before the accumulation of 2,500 total flight cycles or 24 months, whichever occurs first since the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i)(A) and (h)(3)(i)(B) of this AD.
(A) Since first flight of the MLG on an airplane.
(B) Since first flight after a MLG overhaul.
(ii) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD.
(4) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD having a MLG P/N 10-210 series: Before the accumulation of 126 months since first flight of the MLG on an airplane.
For the purposes of this AD, accomplishment of a MLG overhaul is acceptable instead of an inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD. The inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD are not terminated by a MLG overhaul, but are required at the next applicable compliance time required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
If the applicable service information specified in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies to contact Messier-Dowty for instructions, or if any repair required by paragraph (g) of this AD is beyond the maximum repair allowance specified in the applicable service information specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair using 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).
For airplanes equipped with a MLG having P/N 201252 series or a MLG having P/N 201490 series: Before the accumulation of 126 months since first flight of the MLG on an airplane or since first flight on an airplane after the most recent overhaul as of the effective date of this AD, as applicable, replace that MLG with a MLG having P/N 201252 series or a MLG having P/N 201490 series that has an improved bogie beam, as defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3275, dated December 23, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4305, dated December 23, 2015; as applicable; and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-306, Revision 1, including Appendix A, dated May 31, 2016.
Accomplishment of corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
(1) For airplanes with any MLG having P/N 10-210 series: Modification of the bogie beam of each MLG having P/N 10-210 series, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3268, Revision 01, dated September 21, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4300, dated April 20, 2015; or Revision 01, dated September 21, 2015; as applicable; and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-305, including Appendix A, dated April 13, 2015; constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD for that airplane, provided that, following in-service modification, the airplane remains in the post-service bulletin configuration.
(2) For airplanes with any MLG having P/N 201252 series or P/N 201490 series: Installation of both left-hand and right-hand MLG having P/N 201252 series or P/N 201490 series that has an improved bogie beam, as required by paragraph (k) of this AD, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections requirements of this AD for that airplane, provided that, following in-service modification, the airplane remains in the post-service bulletin configuration.
