AD/A330/77 Amdt 2 Flap Down Drive Shaft (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/A330/77 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/A330/77 Amdt 2 Flap Down Drive Shaft 4/2008

Applicability:

All Model A330-200 and -300 series aircraft, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2008-0026.

Note:  Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3151 original issue, and A330-27-3152 original issue, or later EASA approved revisions, refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
10 April 2008.

This Amendment becomes effective on 10 April 2008.

Background:

Several cases of corrosion and damage on the Down Drive Shafts (DDS), between the Down Drive Gearbox and the Input Gear Box (IPGB), on all ten Flap Tracks, have been reported by Airbus Long Range Operators.

This Directive mandates an initial inspection of all DDS and IPGB (to detect corrosion and wear), on all aircraft older than six years since Airbus original delivery date of the aircraft.

Undetected corrosion and wear could cause down drive shaft disconnection which could result in a free moveable flap surface, potentially leading to an asymmetric flap condition or even flap detachment.

Amendment 1 clarified the compliance instructions.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which introduces mandatory repetitive inspections every 6 years for all the fleet.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

25 February 2008