AD 90-12-13 SUPERSEDED

90-12-13 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-6625. Docket No. 90-NM-98-AD.

Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 Series Airplanes which currently have pre- modification 5844 rudders installed, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To detect rudder skin panel disbonding, accomplish the following:

A. Within 10 landings after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 days or 50 landings, whichever occurs first, perform a visual inspection of the rudder skin panels, left and right, in accordance with All Operators' Telex (AOT) 55/90/01, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1990. If defects are found, prior to further flight, perform tap test in accordance with paragraph B., below.

B. Within 300 landings after the effective date of this AD, perform a tap test to determine extent of the damage in accordance with AOT 55/90/01 Revision 1, dated April 27, 1990.

1. If disbonding is less than 100 square cm, repeat the tap test of the affected area every 28 days or 200 landings, whichever occurs first. For any signs of additional rudder skin panel disbonding, perform drilling procedure in accordance with paragraph 4.2.2.3. of the AOT, and repeat the visual inspection of the rudder skin panels in accordance with paragraph A., above.

2. If disbonding is more than 100 square cm, but less than 5,000 square cm, repair in accordance with paragraph 4.2.2.3. of the AOT. Repeat the visual inspection of the rudder skin panels in accordance with paragraph A.1., above; and perform repetitive tap tests of the repaired areas at the following intervals:

a. Every 500 landings for disbonding more than 100 square cm but less than 300 square cm;

b. Every 250 landings for disbonding more than 300 square cm but less than 1,000 square cm;

c. Every 75 landings for disbonding more than 1,000 square cm, but less than 5,000 square cm.

3. If disbondingis more than 5,000 square cm or if a crack is found, prior to further flight, repair in a manner approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM- 113, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region.

C. An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region.

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who will either concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service information from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Airbus Industrie, Airbus Support Division, Avenue Didier Daurat, 31700 Blagnac, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or the Standardization Branch, 9010 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington.

This amendment (39-6625, AD 90-12-13) becomes effective on June 20, 1990.