Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19430 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(4) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-642 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus SAS Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of deficient fatigue performance of high strength steel used in forgings. Components made from the affected high strength steel are installed on the main landing gear (MLG), nose landing gear (NLG), and center landing gear (CLG). This AD requires identifying the part number and serial number of certain components installed on the MLG, NLG, and CLG; replacing affected parts; identifying the airplane's weight variant; and determining the applicable life limit for certain components installed on the MLG, NLG, and CLG. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For the purpose of this AD, an affected part is any main fitting, bogie beam, or sliding piston of the MLG, NLG, or CLG installed on the airplane, having a part number and serial number combination specified in the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD.
(2) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable part is any main fitting, bogie beam, or sliding piston of the MLG, NLG, or CLG that has not exceeded the applicable life limit specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i), (g)(2)(ii), or (g)(2)(iii) of this AD, since first installation on an airplane.
(i) The life limit specified in the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD.
(ii) The life limit specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 1, “Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items (SL-ALI),” Revision 09, dated September 18, 2017; and A330 ALS Part 1, “Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items (SL-ALI),” Variation 9.2, dated November 28, 2017.
(iii) The life limit specified in Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 1, “Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items (SL-ALI),” Revision 09, dated September 18, 2017; and A340 ALS Part 1, “Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items (SL-ALI),” Variation 9.2, dated November 28, 2017.
Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Identify the part number and serial number of each main fitting, bogie beam, and sliding piston of the MLG, NLG, and CLG installed on the airplane; identify the airplane's weight variant; and determine the applicable reduced life limit; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable for identification of the installed main fittings, bogie beams, and sliding pistons of the MLG, NLG, and CLG, provided the part number and serial number of each component can be conclusively identified by that review.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3281, Revision 02, including Appendixes 01 through 06, dated June 16, 2017.
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4310, Revision 02, including Appendixes 01 through 06, dated June 16, 2017.
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-5119, Revision 01, including Appendixes 01 through 07, dated January 31, 2017.
Prior to exceeding the applicable life limit, as specified in the applicable service information identified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace each affected part (as defined in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD) with a serviceable part (as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD).
As of the effective date of this AD, any affected part (as defined in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD) may be used as a replacement part, provided the affected part is also a serviceable part (as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD), and following installation, the affected part is replaced prior to exceeding the applicable life limit as specified in paragraph (g)(2) 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.
Aircraft
