2009-15-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-15980. Docket No. FAA-2009-0211; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-028-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 2, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340- 200, and A340-300 series airplanes; certificated in any category; all certified models; all serial numbers, except those on which Airbus modification 54500 has been embodied in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3212 has been embodied in service.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing Gear.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
The operator of an A330 aircraft (which has a common bogie beam with the A340) has reported a fracture of the RH (right-hand) MLG (main landing gear) Bogie Beam whilst turning during low speed taxi maneuvers. The bogie [beam] fractured aft ofthe pivot point and remained attached to the sliding tube by the brake torque reaction rods. After this RH bogie [beam] failure, the aircraft continued for approximately 40 meters on the forks of the sliding member before coming to rest on the taxiway without any passenger injury.
The preliminary investigations revealed that this event was due to corrosion pitting occurring on the bore of the bogie beam. Investigations are ongoing to determine why bogie beam internal paint has been degraded, leading to a loss of cadmium plating and thus allowing development of corrosion pitting.
If not corrected, this situation under higher speed could result in the aircraft departing the runway or in the bogie [beam] detaching from the aircraft or [main landing] gear collapses, which would constitute an unsafe condition.
To enable early detection and repair of any corrosion of the internal surfaces, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) AD 2007- 0314 required a one-time inspection on all MLG Bogie Beams except Enhanced MLG Bogie Beams and the reporting of the results to AIRBUS.
The Revision 1 of AD 2007-0314 aimed to clarify the compliance time of the inspection and to extend the reporting period.
The present AD which supersedes the AD 2007-0314R1:
--Takes over the AD 2007-0314R1 requirements and
--Reduces the inspection threshold from 6 to 4.5 years due to significant findings on the inspected aircraft.
Required actions include applying protective treatments to the bogie beam and corrective actions. Corrective actions include repair of any damaged or corroded surfaces or surface treatments, and contacting Messier-Dowty for repair instructions and doing the repair.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD: Clean the internal bore and perform a detailed visual inspection of internal surfaces of the MLG bogie beam (right-handand left-hand) for any damage to the protective treatments or any corrosion, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3225 or A340-32-4268, both Revision 01, both dated October 30, 2008; as applicable.
(i) If no damage and corrosion is found, before further flight, apply the protective treatments of the bogie beam, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-272, Revision 1, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D, dated September 22, 2008.
(ii) If any damage or corrosion is found, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions and apply the protective treatments of the bogie beam, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-272, Revision 1, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D, dated September 22, 2008.
(2) For airplanes with 54 months or less time-in-service since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness as of the effective date of this AD: At the latest of the applicable times specified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), and (f)(2)(iii) of this AD, do the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(i) Not before 54 months since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness, but no later than 72 months since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness.
(ii) Not before 54 months since the installation of a new bogie beam in-service before the effective date of this AD, but no later than 72 months since the installation of a new bogie beam in-service before the effective date of this AD.
(iii) Not before 54 months since the last overhaul of a bogie beam before the effective date of this AD, but no later than 72 months since the last overhaul of a bogie beam before the effective date of this AD.
(3) For airplanes with more than 54 months time-in-service since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness as of the effective date of this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), f)(3)(iii), (f)(3)(iv), or (f)(3)(v) of this AD, do the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(i) For airplanes on which the bogie beam has not been replaced or overhauled since the date of issuance of the original French airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes on which the bogie beam has beenreplaced in- service with a new bogie beam and the new bogie beam has more than 54 months time-in-service as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
(iii) For airplanes on which the bogie beam has been replaced in-service with a new bogie beam and the new bogie beam has 54 months or less time-in-service as of the effective date of this AD: Not before 54 months since the installation of a new bogie beam in- service before the effective date of this AD, but no later than 72 months since the installation of a new bogie beam in-service before the effective date of this AD.
(iv) For airplanes on which the bogie beam has been overhauled and the overhauled bogie beam has more than 54 months time-in- service as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, or at the next scheduled bogie beam overhaul, whichever occurs first.
(v) For airplanes on which the bogie beam has been overhauled and the overhauled bogie beam has 54 months or less time-in-service as of the effective date of this AD: Not before 54 months since the last overhaul of a bogie beam before the effective date of this AD, but no later than 72 months since the last overhaul of a bogie beam before the effective date of this AD.
(4) Within 30 days after accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the results, including no findings, to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; e-mail airworthiness.A330- A340@airbus.com.
(5) Actions accomplished in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-271, Revision 1, including Appendixes A and B, dated November 16, 2007, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.
(6) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.
Table 1--Credit Service Information
Service Bulletin
Date
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3225
November 21, 2007
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4268
November 21, 2007
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-271, including Appendix A
September 13, 2007
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-272, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D
November 16, 2007
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: The MCAI specifies repair and corrective actions in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3225 or A340-32-4268, both dated November 21, 2007; however, these Airbus service bulletins do not describe those actions. Paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD specify repair and corrective actions in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32- 272, Revision 1, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D, dated September 22, 2008.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0093, dated May 20, 2008, and the service bulletins specified in Table 2 of this AD, for related information.
Table 2--Service Information
Service Bulletin
Revision
Date
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3225, including Appendix 1
01
October 30, 2008
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4268, including Appendix 1
01
October 30, 2008
Messier-Dowty ServiceBulletin A33/34-32-271, including Appendixes A and B
1
November 16, 2007
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-272, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D
1
September 22, 2008
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use the service information contained in Table 3 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
Table 3--Material Incorporated by Reference
Service Bulletin
Revision
Date
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3225, including Appendix 1
01
October 30, 2008
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4268, including Appendix 1
01
October 30, 2008
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-271, including Appendixes A and B
1
November 16, 2007
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-272, including Appendixes A, B, C, and D
1
September 22, 2008
(Pages identified as "intentionally blank'' in the Messier-Dowty service bulletins identified in Table 3 of this AD are at the revision level anddate specified in Table 3 for those documents.)
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80, e-mail airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. For Messier-Dowty service information identified in this AD, contact Messier Services Americas, Customer Support Center, 45360 Severn Way, Sterling, Virginia 20166-8910; telephone 703-450-8233; fax 703- 404-1621; Internet https://techpubs.services.messier-dowty.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.