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FAA orders · airworthiness directive · historical

2004-18-14: Airplane flight manual (AFM)

FAA order 2004-18-14 is an airworthiness directive in force since October 19, 2004. The FAA's subject line: Airplane flight manual (AFM). It names Airbus A330, Airbus A340: about 163 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: flight controls.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Airbus
Models
A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313
On this site
Airbus A330 153 registered
Airbus A340 10 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
October 19, 2004
Published
September 14, 2004 (signed August 31, 2004)
Docket
2002-NM-228-AD
Replaces
2002-16-12
Replaced by
2015-16-02
Status
Historical
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, that currently requires revising the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the proper procedures in the event of uncommanded movement of a spoiler during flight. This amendment adds inspections of the function of the pressure relief valves of each spoiler servo control (SSC), and corrective action if necessary. This new AD also mandates eventual modification of the SSCs, which terminates the AFM revision in the existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent uncommanded movement of a spoiler during flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane and consequent significant increased fuel consumption during flight, which could necessitate an in-flight turn-back or diversion to an unscheduled airport destination. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (6,830 characters)
2004-18-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-13793. Docket 2002-NM-228-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-16-12, Amendment 39-12851. \n\n\tApplicability: Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with any spoiler servo control having part number (P/N) 1386A0000-01, 1386B0000-01, 1387A0000-01, or 1387B0000-01. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the proper procedures in the event of uncommanded movement of a spoiler during flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane and consequent significant increased fuel consumption during flight, and could result in an in-flight turn-back or diversion to an unscheduled airport destination, accomplish the following: \n\nRestatement of Requirements of AD 2002-16-12 \n\nRevision to Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) \n\n\t(a) Within 10 days after September 20, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-16-12, amendment 39-12851), revise the Limitations Section of the AFM by including the procedures listed in Figure 1 of this AD. This revision may be done by inserting a copy of the following Figure 1 into the AFM: \n\nFigure 1 \n\n\n\n\tNote 1: When the procedure in paragraph (a) of this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be incorporated into the AFM, provided the procedures in this AD and the general revisions are identical. This AD may then be removed from the AFM. \n\nNew Requirements of This AD \n\nInitial Detailed Inspection/Functional Check \n\n\t(b) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection/functional check of the blocking function of the pressure relief valves (PRVs) of affected spoiler servo controls (SSCs) by doing all the actions in accordance with paragraphs 3.A., 3.B.(1)(a), 3.D., and 3.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3090 (for A330 series airplanes) or A340-27-4096(for A340-200 and -300 series airplanes), both Revision 02, both dated August 1, 2002, as applicable. \n\n\tNote 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required." \n\n\tNote 3: Liebherr Service Bulletin 1386A-27-03, Revision 1, dated February 4, 2002, is referenced in Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27- 3090 and A340-27-4096, both Revision 02, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the inspections. \n\nCorrective Action \n\n\t(c) For airplanes having an affected SSC on which any malfunction is found during the inspection/functional check required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, do the terminating action required by paragraph (e) of this AD for that SSC. \n\n\t(d) For airplanes having affected SSCs on which no malfunction is found during the inspection/functional check required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Repeat the inspection/functional check one time within 1,600 flight hours after accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. If no malfunction is found, repeat the inspection/functional check thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,400 flight hours, until accomplishment of the terminating action required by paragraph (e) of this AD. \n\nTerminating Action \n\n\t(e) Except as required by paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 13 months after the effective date of this AD, modify all affected SSCs by doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3094 (for A330 series airplanes) or A340-27-4100 (for A340-200 and -300 series airplanes), both Revision 01, both dated August 1, 2002; as applicable. Modification of all affected SSCs terminates the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this AD. After the modification has been done, the previously required AFM revision may be removed. \n\n\tNote 4: Liebherr Service Bulletin 1386A-27-05, dated February 25, 2002, is referenced in Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3094 and A340-27-4100 as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the modification. \n\nPreviously Accomplished Actions \n\n\t(f) Accomplishment of the inspections in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3090 and A340-27-4096, both dated September 28, 2001; or A340-27-4096, Revision 01, dated December 12, 2001; as applicable; is considered acceptable for compliance with the inspections required by this AD. \n\n\t(g) Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3090 and A340-27-4096, both dated August 1, 2002, specify to submit inspection results to the manufacturer, however; this AD does not include that requirement. \n\nParts Installation \n\n\t(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane a spoiler servo control having P/N 1386A0000-01, 1386B0000-01, 1387A0000-01, or 1387B0000-01, unless it has been modified per paragraph (e) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(i) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(j) The actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\n\tTable 1.--Materials Incorporated by Reference\n\n\nAirbus service bulletin\nRevision level \nDate\nA330-27-3090\nA330-27-3094\nA340-27-4096\nA340-27-4100\n02\n01\n02\n01\nAug. 1, 2002. \nAug. 1, 2002. \nAug. 1, 2002. \nAug. 1, 2002. \n\nThe Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies of the documents from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You can review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . \n\n\tNote 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 2002-552(B) and 2002-553(B), both dated November 13, 2002. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(k) This amendment becomes effective on October 19, 2004.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2017-07-19NM-17-20 · Equipment/Furnishings
2009-06-01NM-09-33 · Flight Control Primary Computer (FCPC)
2008-12-11NM-09-03 · Engine Fuel and Control - Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations
2008-09-03NM-08-43 · Cabin Equipment/Furnishings - Seats
2008-07-02NM-08-31 · Equipment/Furnishings: Non-Textile Floors

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2004-18-14.json · aircraft systems.