Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22259 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all the Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A300 B4-603 and -622 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-605R and -622R airplanes.
(3) Model A310-203, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-16- 06, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-603, B4-605R, and B4-622R airplanes; and Model A310-304, -324, and -325 airplanes. AD 2016-16-06 required inspections around the rivet heads of the seal retainer run-out holes at certain frames and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on a certain door frame, and a determination that other frames may also be susceptible to cracking, and that additional airplanes may be affected by the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2016-16-06 and adds airplanes, 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 2022-0078, dated May 4, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0078).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0078 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0078 refers to September 25, 2014 (the effective date of EASA AD 2014-0202), this AD requires using September 8, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-16-06).
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0078 does not apply to this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0078 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) 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, 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 (j)(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.
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov.
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.