AD/A330/83 Fuselage Frame 12 Inspection/Repair (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/A330/83 Fuselage - Frame 12 Inspection/Repair 2/2008 DM

Applicability:

AIRBUS aircraft A330-200 and A330-300, all certified models, all manufacturing serial numbers (MSN) from MSN 0489 to 0722 inclusive and MSN 0725, 0726, 0728, 0730, 0732, 0734 inclusive.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of EASA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-0302.

Compliance:

As per the requirements document with an effective date of the 28 December 2007.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 December 2007.

Background:

During manufacturing of the A330/A340 aircraft framework, cracks have been found on Frame (FR) 12, left (LH) and right (RH) sides.  It has been confirmed that a defect of FR 12 forming tool press is the root cause of the cracks.

If undetected such damage could affect, after propagation, the structural integrity of the aircraft.

In order to permit an early detection and repair of cracks on FR12, LH and RH sides, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates a one time High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspection of FR12.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 December 2007