AD/A330/65 Main Landing Gear Retraction Link (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/A330/65 Main Landing Gear Retraction Link 13/2006 TX

Applicability:

AIRBUS A330 aeroplanes.

Requirement:

1.    Replace the retraction link assembly in accordance with the instructions defined in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-32A3208.

2.    Report to AIRBUS the life accumulation information of each retraction link assembly affected by this AD.

Note 1:  This reduced life limit will be incorporated within the next revision of the A330 ALS Part 1.

Note 2:  EASA EAD No: 2006-0324-E dated 20 October 2006 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Before accumulating 8,300 landings since the initial entry into service of the retraction link assembly or before 30 November 2006, whichever occurs later after the effective date of this AD.

2.    Not later than 30 November 2006.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 October 2006.

Background:

During full-scale fatigue tests, the retraction link failed on the latest growth production standard MLG prior to its expected life limit.  Investigations confirm that the root cause of this premature fracture is due to high lug stress.

The retraction link is included in the ALS Part 1- Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Item - and currently limited to 35,200 Flight Cycles (FC).  Its fracture causes un-damped extension of MLG, potentially leading to loss of side stay integrity and then MLG collapse, which constitutes an unsafe condition.

The aim of this Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) is to mandate the reduced retraction link life limit and replacement of any retraction link that has exceeded this new limit.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

23 October 2006