Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19710 · Wings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0249R1, dated July 31, 2019; corrected August 2, 2019 (“EASA AD 2018-0249R1”).
(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.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-12- 09, which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2016-12-09 requirements included removing existing and installing new fasteners, inspecting for and, if necessary, repairing cracking. This new AD requires repetitive inspections of the fastener holes at a certain frame and applicable on-condition actions, and, for certain airplanes, requires a modification, as specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, which are incorporated by reference. Also as specified in the EASA ADs, this AD also provide an optional terminating action for certain airplanes, which terminates the inspections. This AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB) and a determination that the compliance time specified in AD 2016-12-09 for the modification of the inside CWB must be revised. 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 2018-0249, dated November 16, 2018 (“EASA AD 2018-0249”) or EASA AD 2018-0249R1.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where EASA ADs 2018-0249 and 2018-0249R1 refer to the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0249 or the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0069, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where EASA ADs 2018-0249 and 2018-0249R1 refer to the effective date of EASA AD 2014-0149, this AD requires using June 29, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-12-09).
(3) The “Remarks” sections of EASA ADs 2018-0249 and 2018-0249R1 do not apply to this AD.
(4) The EASA alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approvals specified in paragraph (15) of EASA AD 2018-0249R1 do not apply to this AD.
Figure 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD identifies the Airbus Technical Dispositions specified in paragraph (9) of EASA ADs 2018-0249 and 2018-0249R1 and their associated manufacturer serial numbers.
Although the service information referenced in EASA ADs 2018-0249 and 2018-0249R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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
