AD/A330/45 Wing Rib 6 (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 39.1 (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 Wing Rib 6 2/2005 DM

Applicability:

All Model A330 aircraft with Airbus modification 41114 or 44599 incorporated in production.

Requirement:

Inspect in accordance with the requirements of DGAC Emergency AD UF-2004-195.

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

Note:  Airbus All Operator Telex No. A330-57A3085, dated 15 December 2004, refers.

Compliance:

At whichever of the following times occurs later:

a.    Before the accumulation of 10,000 flight cycles or 30,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first; or,

b.    Within 300 flight cycles or 900 flight hours after 12 January 2005, whichever occurs first, but no later than 31 March 2005.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 January 2005.

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.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

5 January 2005