Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22605 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a widespread fatigue damage (WFD) evaluation on Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, which found that the circumferential joint at Frame 58 (near the rear fuselage) is susceptible to WFD. This AD requires a modification to reinforce the circumferential joints at Frame 58 and, if necessary, corrective action, 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 2023-0053, dated March 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0053).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0053 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 2023-0053.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0053 specifies “if, during the accomplishment of any inspection, which is part of the modification as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy, as identified in the SB, is detected, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly,” this AD requires replacing those words with “if, during the accomplishment of any inspection, which is part of the modification as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy other than cracking is detected, before next flight, contact the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for approved instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly; and if any cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further flight 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.”
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 Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 206-231-3667; email: timothy.p.dowling@faa.gov.
