Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21736 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0267, dated December 3, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0267).
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0267 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0267 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0267 specifies revising “the approved AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0267 is on or before the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0267, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0267 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0267 does not apply to this AD.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2020-0267.
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the limitations for the retraction actuator assembly sliding rod having part number D52952, D52952-1, D52952-2, or D58006, as required by paragraph (g) of AD 2018-18-21 for Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes only.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
