Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23116 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 1, 2024.
(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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-18- 01, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, A330-300 series airplanes, Model A330-800 series airplanes, and A330-900 series airplanes. AD 2022-18-01 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-18- 01, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2022-18-01, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before July 1, 2021: 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 2021-0246, dated November 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0246). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (m) of AD 2022-18-01, with no changes.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0246 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using October 11, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-18-01).
(2) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0246 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0246 specifies revising “the AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after October 11, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-18-01).
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA 2021-0246 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0246, or within 90 days after October 11, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-18-01), whichever occurs later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0246 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0246 does not apply to this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (n) of AD 2022-18-01, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2021-0246.
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0213, dated November 14, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0213). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0213.
(2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0213 specifies revising “the AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0213 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0213, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2024-0213.
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0213.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2024-0213.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 manager of the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD and email to: 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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.
For more information about this AD, contact Emma Copeland, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 847-294-8068; email: emma.m.copeland@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.
