AD/A330/58 Belly Fairing Heat Shields (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/A330/58 Belly Fairing Heat Shields 9/2006

Applicability:

AIRBUS A330-200, aircraft, except for aircraft on which AIRBUS modification 49520 has been embodied in production or modified in-service in accordance with AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A330-21-3096 Revision 01.

Requirement:

Install heat shields in the belly fairing in accordance with the instructions of SB A330-21-3096 Revision 01 or later DGAC approved revision.

Note:  EASA AD 2006-0191 dated 10 July 2006 refers.

Compliance:

Prior to 31 October 2008.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 August 2006.

Background:

Further to the accident which occurred to a Boeing 747-131 (flight TWA800), the FAA published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88).  The JAA recommended to the National Aviation Authorities (NAA) the application of a similar regulation.  The EASA (the recognized NAA for A330 aircraft) has mandated the installation of heat shields in the belly fairings.  This is designed to segregate the air system zone which could have surface temperatures in excess of 200°C.  Its aim is to avoid an undetected fire in this zone following a fuel leak from the centre tank.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

21 July 2006