Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22459 · Nacelles/pylons
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-223, A330-321, A330-322, and A330-323 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0190, dated September 14, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0190).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-10- 13, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-223, -321, -322, and - 323 airplanes. AD 2006-10-13 required repetitive inspections of the firewall of the lower aft pylon fairing (LAPF), and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2006-10-13 also provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by the design of an updated LAPF, the installation of which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection required by AD 2006- 10-13. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2006- 10-13, provides new optional terminating actions, and changes the applicability to exclude certain 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0190.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0190 refers to “28 February 2004 [the effective date of DGAC France AD F-2004-028 at original issue],” this AD requires using June 20, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-10-13).
(2) For any airplane on which a crack has been found and a stop-drill of the crack and sealant application has not been done as specified in paragraph (4.1) of EASA AD 2022-0190 as of the effective date of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (4.1) of EASA AD 2022-0190.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0190 specifies a crack length, replace the text “up to 30.48 mm” with “less than or equal to 30.48 mm (1.2 inches).”
(4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0190.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0190 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.
(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 2006-10-13 in FAA Letters ANM-116-17-235 and AIR-676-20-117 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0190 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, 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 Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email timothy.p.dowling@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.
