Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22565 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, and A330-841 airplanes, certificated in any category, manufacturer serial numbers 1780, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1805, 1823, 1835, 1845, 1847, 1854, 1859, 1864, 1872, 1877, 1878, 1882, 1888, 1932, 1936, 1964, and 1969.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, and A330-841 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the cold working process was partially completed on a certain circumferential joint. This AD requires modification of the circumferential joint, 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 2023-0054, dated March 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0054).
(1) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0054.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0054 specifies contacting Airbus before further flight for approved instructions if any discrepancy is detected during accomplishment of any inspection that is part of the modification, this AD requires repairing the discrepancy before further flight 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) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0054 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where Note 2 of EASA AD 2023-0054 specifies Airbus Operators Information Telex (OIT) 999.0086/11 can be used to determine whether an airplane is operated short range (SR) or long range (LR), this AD requires using the following definitions: the term “short range” applies to an airplane with an average flight time lower than 1.5 flight hours per flight cycle, and the term “long range” applies to an airplane with an average flight time equal to or higher than 1.5 flight hours per flight cycle. For determining the SR and LR airplanes, the average flight time is the total accumulated flight hours, counted from takeoff to touchdown, divided by the total accumulated flight cycles at the effective date of this AD.
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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraphs (h)(2) and (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; phone 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.
