Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22404 · Equipment/furnishings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of this AD.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(3) Model A330-841 airplanes.
(4) Model A330-941 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(8) Model A340-642 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-03- 12, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800, and - 900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2022-03-12 required replacing the doghouse door lock placard with an improved instruction placard. This AD was prompted by reports that the instructions on the doghouse door lock placard are unclear and incomplete, and by a determination that additional parts need to be modified. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-03-12 and expands the list of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. 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 2022-0179, dated August 26, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0179).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0179 refers to June 18, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0136), this AD requires using March 21, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-03-12).
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0179 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Although EASA AD 2022-0179 specifies to “remove the placard and install an improved handling instructions placard on each affected part,” this AD requires replacing the placard on each affected part with an improved handling instructions placard.
(4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0179.
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 (j) 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 (i)(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 Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email vladimir.ulyanov@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.
