Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22152 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2025-17-06. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before July 1, 2021.
(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 A330-841 airplanes.
(5) Model A330-941 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-10- 24, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330- 300 series airplanes; AD 2018-23-14, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes; and AD 2021-05-12, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. AD 2017-10-24, AD 2018-23-14, and AD 2021-05-12 require 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. This AD revises the applicability by adding airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2018-23-14 and AD 2021-05-12, and 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.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2018-23-14, with a new terminating action. For Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 29, 2017: Within 90 days after January 2, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2018-23-14), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD. The initial compliance times for accomplishing the tasks are at the applicable times specified in the service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD, or within 90 days after January 2, 2019, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (l) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 1, Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items (SL-ALI), Revision 09, dated September 18, 2017.
(2) Airbus A330 ALS Part 1, SL-ALI, Variation 9.2, dated November 28, 2017.
(3) Airbus A330 ALS Part 1, SL-ALI, Variation 9.3, dated November 29, 2017.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2018-23-14, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraphs (i) and (l) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 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 (p)(1) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2021-05-12, with a new terminating action. For Airbus SAS Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 29, 2020, except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0190, dated August 27, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0190). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (l) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2021-05-12, with no changes.
(1) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0190 do not apply to this AD.
(2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0190 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, to incorporate the “limitations” specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0190 within 90 days after April 26, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-05-12).
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0190 is on or before the applicable “limitations” specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0190, or within 90 days after April 26, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-05-12), whichever occurs later.
(4) The provision specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0190 does not apply to this AD.
(5) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0190 does not apply to this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2021-05-12, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (l) of 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) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2020-0190.
Except as specified in paragraph (m) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0246, dated November 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0246). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0246 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 2021-0246 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0246 specifies revising “the 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 2021-0246 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0246, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0246 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0246 does not apply to this AD.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (l) 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 2021-0246.
Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the limitation for the nose landing gear lower torque link having part number D64001, as required by paragraph (g) of AD 2018-23-14, for Model A330-223F and -243F 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 (q) 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.
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.
