Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19688 · Stabilizers
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-223, -243, -301, -302, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0226, dated October 22, 2018 (“EASA AD 2018-0226”).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02- 11, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 airplanes. AD 2018-02-11 requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-11, the agency received a report of additional cracking found on different airplane models, and of an update to the fatigue and damage tolerance analysis. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) center box (CB) top skin integral flange area, and repair if necessary. This AD also expands the applicability to include additional airplane models. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2018-0226.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where EASA AD 2018-0226 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0226 refers to a compliance time of after May 17, 2017, this AD requires using February 6, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-02-11).
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0226 does not apply to this AD.
(4) Paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA AD 2018-0226 specify to report “no discrepancy” inspection results to Airbus at certain times. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(4)(i) or (h)(4)(ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date 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.
