Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-9931 · Airbus Airplanes
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus A300 B4-601, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-605R, A300 B4-620, A300 B4-622, A300 B4-622R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, A300 F4-605R, A300 F4-622R, A310-203, A310-204, A310-221, A310-222, A310-304, A310-322, A310-324, A310-325.
The models as the FAA's AD index lists them. The serial ranges, installed parts and exceptions are in the AD itself: read it at the FAA.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive visual inspections and tap tests of the rudder skin panels to detect disbonding; and repairs, if necessary. That AD was prompted by reports of weakening of the bonding material between the core of the rudder and its inner and outer skin, and cracking of the core. This amendment adds repetitive elasticity laminate checker (ELCH) inspections of the rudder in place of the currently required tap tests. It also requires replacement of the rudder with a modified rudder, which will terminate the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and prevent disbonding of the rudder, which, if not corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the rudder, and consequently lead to a reduction in its ability to sustain limit loads.
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.
