EASA AD No.: 2009-0255

EASA Form 110 Page 1/3

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2009-0255 Date: 01 December 2009 Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Type Approval Holder’s Name :

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s) : A330 and A340-200/-300 aeroplanes

TCDS Number : EASA.A.004, EASA.A.015

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : This AD supersedes DGAC France AD F-2004-118 R1 dated 13 October 2004 approved under EASA reference N. 2004-10125.

ATA 55 Stabilizers – Elevators – Inspection

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) if equipped with the following elevators part numbers (P/N) :

- LH Elevator : P/N F55280000000ZZ, or

P/N F55280000002ZZ, or

P/N F55280000004ZZ, or

P/N F55280000006ZZ, or

P/N F55280000008ZZ, or

P/N F55280000012ZZ, or

P/N F55280002000ZZ, or

P/N F55280005000ZZ, or

P/N F55280005002ZZ, or

P/N F55280005004ZZ,

with ZZ varying from 00 up to 99 inclusive.

EASA AD No.: 2009-0255

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- RH Elevator : P/N F55280000001ZZ, or

P/N F55280000003ZZ, or

P/N F55280000005ZZ, or

P/N F55280000007ZZ, or

P/N F55280000009ZZ, or

P/N F55280000013ZZ, or

P/N F55280002001ZZ, or

P/N F55280005001ZZ, or

P/N F55280005003ZZ, or

P/N F55280005005ZZ

with ZZ varying from 00 up to 99 inclusive.

Reason: A debonding area was detected on the RH elevator of an A340 in-service aeroplane during a scheduled maintenance task inspection.

Investigation has revealed that this debonding may have been caused by water ingress and, if not detected and corrected, might compromise the structural integrity of the elevators.

DGAC France AD F-2004-118 R1 (EASA approval N. 2004-10125) required a one-time inspection of elevators skin panels installed on MSN up to 091, to detect potential liquid ingress and repair as necessary, in accordance with Airbus inspection service bulletins (ISB) A330-55-3032 and A340-55-4029.

Following the AD issuance, further in-service experience has shown that in order to ensure the structural integrity of all A330 / A340 elevators skin panels with sandwich construction (excluding A340-500 / -600), it is necessary to perform the same elevators panels inspection and to repair as necessary, but in a repetitive manner.

The aim of this AD, which supersedes DGAC France AD F-2004-118 R1, is to require this additional inspection program in order to maintain the structural integrity of the elevators.

Effective Date: 15 December 2009

Required action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Required as indicated :

(1) Unless accomplished previously, perform a special detailed inspection of elevator upper and lower skin panels , in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A330-55-3039 or SB A340-55-4035, as applicable :

a) For elevators that have not been inspected in accordance with Airbus SB A330-55-3032 or A340-55-4029 :

Within 12 years (144 months) since the date of the elevator first flight on an aeroplane, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

b) For elevators that have been inspected in accordance with Airbus SB A330-55-3032 or A340-55-4029 :

Within 6 years (72 months) since the date of the elevator first flight after the accomplishment of Airbus SB A330-55-3032 or A340-55-4029, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(2) Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (1) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 6 years (72 months) from the date of the elevator first flight after the last inspection.

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(3) In case of discrepancies found during the inspections required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD and in accordance with the instructions of SB A330-55-3039 or A340-55-4035, before the next elevator flight :

- Contact Airbus for instructions and follow their corrective actions, or

- Repair according to the SRM

(4) After the accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this AD and before next elevator flight, perform a re-protection in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A330-55-3039 or SB A340-55-4035.

(5) Within 30 days after the accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this AD, report the results of the inspections, whatever they are, to Airbus in accordance with the instructions of SB A330-55-3039 or A340-55-4035.

(6) After the effective date of this AD, no person shall install any elevator identified in the applicability section of this AD on an aeroplane unless it is in compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Ref. Publications: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55-3039 at original issue,

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-55-4035 at original issue.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of the AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 24 September 2009 as PAD 09-113 for consultation until 22 October 2009. The Comment Response Document can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please contact: AIRBUS – Airworthiness Office – EAL; E-mail: airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com.