Ad/A330/106 - Rudder Side Shell Skin (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A330/106 Rudder Side Shell Skin 10/2009

Applicability:

Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342 and -343 aircraft, all serial numbers;

- If equipped with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) rudders having part numbers and serial numbers as listed in Appendix A to EASA AD 2009-0156.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0156.

Note:  AIRBUS All Operators Telex A330-55A3040 Revision 01, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
24 September 2009.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 September 2009.

Background:

Reports were received of surface defects that were visually detected on the rudders of an A319 and an A321 aircraft.  Investigation determined that the defects reported on both rudders corresponded to areas that had been reworked in production, and confirmed the defects were a result of de-bonding between the skin and honeycomb core.  Such reworks were performed on some rudders fitted on A330 aircraft.  An extended de-bonding, unless undetected and corrected, could degrade the structural integrity of the rudder.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

12 August 2009