AD/A330/50 CFRP Rudder (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/A330/50 CFRP Rudder 5/2005

Applicability:

All Airbus A330-300 aircraft fitted with CFRP rudder P/N A55471500, and any CFRP rudder P/N A55471500 held as a spare.

Requirement:

Perform inspection, and apply corrective measures if necessary, in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraphs 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) A330-55A3035.

Any of the inspections required in section 4.2.2 of the AOT which have been performed in the last 18 months prior to the effective date of this AD, is an acceptable means of compliance to the corresponding inspection of section 4.2.2 of the AOT’s provided that the inspection results are reported to Airbus.

In case of findings in the rudder side panels, refer to Airbus Structure Engineering Customer Support for an approved repair solution before further flight.

If damage to the rudder attachment exceeds the Structure Repair Manual (SRM) limits, refer to Airbus Structure Engineering Customer Support for an approved repair solution before further flight.

The inspection results, whatever they are, must be reported to Airbus within 10 days of completion of all inspections defined in section 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of the AOT using Reporting Sheet TD 943.0273/05 Issue A, dated March 16, 2005.

Note:  DGAC EAD UF-2005-053 refers.

Compliance:

Within 850 flight hours or three (3) months (whichever occurs first) from the effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 May 2005.

Background:

An A310 in flight from Varadero, Cuba to Quebec, Canada experienced the physical loss of the majority of the rudder structure at cruise altitude.  The reason and sequence that may have led to this rupture are still under investigation at the present time.  The loss of rudder leads to degradation of the handling qualities and reduced controllability of the aircraft under certain conditions such as crosswind landings and engine out operations.

The CFRP rudder P/N fitted on the A310 aircraft involved is also installed on certain A330 aircraft. CFRP rudder P/N A55471500 has been fitted on A330-300 production aircraft MSN 0012, 0017, 0030, 0037, 0045, and 0050.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

31 March 2005