Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22136 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2024-08-05. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, and -941 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before July 1, 2021.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-26-05 and AD 2019-21-02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes. AD 2016-26-05 and AD 2019-21-02 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary, and that new airplanes have been added to the applicability. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2019-21-02, and also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2019-21-02, with no changes. For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 15, 2018: Within 90 days after November 29, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-21-02), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 06, dated October 15, 2018, as supplemented by Airbus A330 ALS Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Variation 6.1, dated June 28, 2019. The initial compliance times for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 06, dated October 15, 2018, as supplemented by Airbus A330 ALS Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Variation 6.1, dated June 28, 2019, or within 90 days after November 29, 2019, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2019-21-02, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0248, dated November 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0248). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0248 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0248 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0248 specifies revising “the approved AMP [aircraft maintenance program]” 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 (3) of EASA 2021-0248 is at the applicable “associated thresholds,” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0248, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2021-0248 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0248 does not apply to this AD.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2021-0248.
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 (m) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2019-21-02 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2021-0248 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(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.
