Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22553 · Airborne auxiliary power
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (7) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(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.
(6) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A330-800 series airplanes; Model A330-900 series airplanes; Model A340-200 series airplanes; and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the fuel control unit housing assembly of a Honeywell GTCP331-350 auxiliary power unit (APU), which caused fuel leakage in the APU compartment. This AD requires replacing any affected APU fuel control unit or affected APU, 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 2023-0057, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0057).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0057 refers to its effective date; this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0057.
(3) Where EASA AD 2023-0057 defines “the SB,” for this AD, operators must use Honeywell Service Bulletin GTCP331-49-7954, dated December 19, 2007.
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 Timothy 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.
