Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22643 · Fuel
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, and with serial numbers identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3141, dated December 16, 2022.
(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.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330- 800, and A330-900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that part of a certain production ground test procedure used to confirm inner fuel tank integrity was not accomplished properly on certain airplanes. This AD requires a fuel tank leak test and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable 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 2023-0052, dated March 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0052).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0052 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 2023-0052.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies repeating a step and recording certain values, replace the text “Do step 1 b again and record the capacitance values and then every 10 minutes for 60 min,” with “Repeat step 1 b and record the capacitance values every 10 minutes for 60 minutes.”
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies “Set the R(L) INNER TK (FIN 6QU1)(FIN 6QU2) switch to OPEN,” this AD requires replacing that text with “Set the L(R) INNER TK (FIN 6QU1)(FIN 6QU2) switch to OPEN.”
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies measuring certain capacitance values, this AD does not require measuring the capacitance values for inner tank probe 6 FIN 24QT1 (FIN 24QT2).
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 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. 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 (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 Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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.
