90-03-08 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-6481. Docket No. 89-NM-130-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.
To prevent reduced structural capability of the fuselage, accomplish the following:
A. 1. Within the time limits specified in paragraph A.2., below, conduct the following inspections in accordance with Airbus industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-217, Revision 1, dated March 6, 1989:
a. Perform a visual inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) for cracking and corrosion of the lower rim area of the rear pressure bulkhead, forward and aft faces, including skin panels, circumferential joint doublers, stringers attachment fittings, cleat profile, Frame 80, attachment angles, circumferential strap, radial stiffeners, bonding points, and attach brackets of support struts between Stringer 27 left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH).
b. Perform a visual inspection for cracking and corrosion of the drain and toilet system pipe couplings in the vicinity of the rear pressure bulkhead.
2. a. For airplanes whose first flight was less than 7 years ago as of the effective date of this AD, perform the initial inspection required by paragraph A.1., above, within 6 months after achieving 7 years since first flight, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
b. For airplanes whose first flight was more than 7 years ago as of the effective date of this AD, perform the initial inspections required by paragraph A.1., above, within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
B. If no corrosion or cracking is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph A., above, perform repetitive inspections as follows:
1. Repeat the visual inspections at intervals not to exceed 3 years.
2. Repeat the NDT inspection at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings.
3. If the modification specified in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300- 53-226 Revision 3, dated July 10, 1989, has been accomplished:
a. Repeat the visual inspection at intervals not to exceed 5 years.
b. Repeat the NDT inspections at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings.
C. If cracking or corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraphs A. or B., above, repair prior to further flight, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-217, Revision 1, dated March 6, 1989.
D. 1. Within the time limits specified in paragraph D.2., below, conduct the following inspections in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-218, Revision 1, dated July 28, 1989:
a. Perform an X-ray inspection for cracking of the rim area of the rear pressure bulkhead, in the area of Stringer 21 LH and RH.
b. Perform a visual inspection for corrosion and cracking of the upper rim area of the rear pressure bulkhead from the aft face.
c. Perform aneddy current inspection for cracks from the outboard side in the following areas:
(1) For airplanes, manufacturer's serial number (MSN) 002 through 008: between Stringer 25 LH and RH.
(2) For airplanes, MSN 009 through 305: between Stringer 26 LH and RH.
d. Perform a visual inspection for cracks and corrosion of the service apertures in the rear pressure bulkhead.
e. Perform an eddy current inspection for cracks of the apertures for the auxiliary power unit (APU) bleed-air and fuel.
2. a. For airplanes having accumulated 26,000 landings or fewer as of the effective date of this AD, perform the initial inspections required by paragraph D.1., above, prior to the accumulation of 24,000 landings or within 2,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
b. For airplanes having accumulated more than 26,000 landings as of the effective date of this AD, perform the initial inspections required by paragraph D.1., above, within 1,000 landings after the effective date of this AD.
E. If no cracking or corrosion is found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph D., above, perform repetitive inspections as follows:
1. Repeat the X-ray inspection of the rim area of the pressure bulkhead at Stringer 21 LH and RH at intervals not to exceed 4 years.
2. Repeat the visual inspections of the upper rim area at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings.
3. Repeat the eddy current inspection from the outboard side between Stringer 25 LH and RH, or Stringer 26 LH and RH, as appropriate, at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings.
4. Repeat the visual inspection of the service apertures at intervals not to exceed 6,000 landings.
5. Repeat eddy current inspections of APU fuel apertures at intervals not to exceed 6,000 landings.
6. Repeat the eddy current inspection of the APU bleed air line service aperture at intervals not to exceed 12,000 landings.
F. If cracking or corrosion is found as aresult of the inspections required by paragraphs D. or E., above, repair prior to further flight, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-218, Revision 1, dated July 28, 1989.
G. 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.
H. 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 documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Airbus Industrie, Airbus Support Division, Avenue Didier Daurat, 31700 Blagnac, France. These documents 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 (39-6481, AD 90-03-08) becomes effective on February 23, 1990.