AD/A330/96 Centre Fuselage Fr 40 Keel Beam Flange (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/A330/96 Centre Fuselage FR 40 Keel Beam Flange 2/2009

Applicability:

Model A330-202, -223, -243, -301, -322, and -342 aircraft, serial numbers 0177, 0181, 0183, 0184, 0188, 0189, 0191, 0195, 0198, 0200, 0203, 0205, 0206, 0209, 0211, 0219, 0222, 0223, 0224, 0226, 0229, 0230, 0231, 0232, 0234, 0238, 0240, 0241, 0244, 0247, 0248, 0249, 0250, 0251, 0253, 0254, and 0255.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2008-0213.

Note:  AIRBUS Service Bulletin A330-53-3151 original issue or Revision 1, or later EASA approved revision, refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 February 2009.

Background:

During the A330 and A340 aircraft fatigue testing, cracks were detected on the right and left sides between the crossing area of the keel angle fitting and the front spar of the Centre Wing Box.  This Directive requires a repetitive special detailed inspection of the horizontal flange of the keel beam in the area of first fastener hole aft of FR40, in order to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 December 2008