AD/A330/81 Frame 53.3 Circumferential Joint (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/A330/81 Frame 53.3 Circumferential Joint 1/2008

Applicability:

Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 aircraft, all serial numbers, except aircraft with Airbus modification 49202 incorporated in production.

Aircraft with Service Bulletin (SB) A330-53-3127 Revision 01 or SB A330-53-3143, or later EASA approved revisions, incorporated in service, are not affected by this Directive.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2006-0266.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 January 2008.

Background:

During fatigue tests (EF2) of the fuselage, initiation and development of cracks were detected at the circumferential joint of frame 53.3.  This situation, if not corrected, could lead to a reduction in the structural integrity of the fuselage.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

27 November 2007