AD/A330/45 Amdt 2 Wing Rib 6 (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A330/45 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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/A330/45 Amdt 2 Wing Rib 6 3/2006

Applicability:

All Model A330 aircraft with Airbus modification 41114 or 44599 incorporated in production; except those aircraft with Airbus modification 53883 incorporated in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3088 incorporated in service, on both wings.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of DGAC AD F-2006-008.

If cracks or other damage is found, contact Airbus before further flight.

Note:  Airbus All Operator Telex No. A330-57A3085; Service Bulletins A330-57-3085 Revision 1, A330-57-3087, and A330-57-3088, or later EASA approved revisions, refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
16 March 2006.

This Amendment becomes effective on 16 March 2006.

Background:

A report was received from an operator of significant cracking of the left hand and right hand Wing Rib 6 aft web; found during a scheduled maintenance check.  An inspection performed on another aircraft of similar age identified similar damage.  Such cracking if not detected and corrected, could lead to overloading of adjacent ribs and the surrounding wing structure and affect the structural integrity of the wing.

Amendment 1 decreased the Wing Rib 6 inspection threshold, introduced SB
A330-57-3087 or MOD 53882, and clarified hard/overweight landings inspection requirements.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD, which deletes a grace period which is no longer relevant, and mandates modification of Wing Rib 6 by installation of a reinforcing plate on wings not already repaired in accordance with repair solution R572-57023 or R572-57026.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 January 2006