2009-21-12: Flight controls.

2009-21-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-16051. Docket No. FAA-2008-0979; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-079-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 1, 2009. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4- 605R, B4-620, B4-622, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, C4-605R Variant F airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; on which Smith spoiler actuators having part number (P/N) P376A0002-05, -06, -07, or -09, or P/N P725A0001-00 are installed. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight controls. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Further to initial qualification tests of the spoiler actuators currently installed in position No. 3 to 7 on A300-600 and A300- 600ST aircraft fleet, a life limit [of 55,750 flight hours] has been defined by the actuator manufacturer. Initially,this life limit had no repercussions, as it was situated well beyond the initial Design Service Goal (DSG) of the aircraft. However, due to the Extended Service Goal (ESG) activities, the spoiler actuator life limit can be reached in service, and therefore the spoiler actuators must be replaced before exceeding this limit. In order to mitigate the risk to have aircraft on which the three hydraulic circuits would be impacted by affected spoiler actuators, which could result in the loss of controllability of the aircraft, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires actions to ensure that at least the level of safety of one hydraulic circuit will be restored within an acceptable timeframe. EASA AD 2007-0245, issued on 05 September 2007 as an interim action, is superseded by the present [EASA] AD. Corrective actions include replacing the spoiler actuator with a serviceable unit. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done: Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do the following actions. (1) Identify the total flight hours accumulated on each spoiler actuator at positions 3 through 7 on the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane (FIN 22CP/23CP, 24CP/25CP, 26CP/27CP, 60CP/61CP, and 62CP/63CP), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-27A6062, dated July 6, 2007. Note 1: Smiths Service Information Letters SIL 27-01, dated June 2007; and SIL 27-02, dated May 2007; may be used as additional sources of guidance to identify the total flight hours accumulated on each spoiler actuator. (2) For airplanes on which the status of any spoiler actuator is unknown (unknown number of accumulated flight hours, unknown date of manufacture, and/or unknown serial number) the actuator must be considered as having exceeded 55,750 total flight hours. (3) For airplanes on which all three hydraulic circuits have a spoiler actuator that has accumulated or exceeds 55,000 total flight hours: Before the accumulation of 55,750 total flight hours or within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, on at least one hydraulic circuit, interchange the spoiler actuator with a serviceable unit from another hydraulic circuit, or replace the spoiler actuator with a serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-27-6060, dated February 18, 2008. (4) For airplanes on which the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, and, as applicable, paragraph (f)(3) of this AD have been accomplished, each airplane must continue to have at least one hydraulic circuit fitted with spoiler actuators that do not exceed 55,750 total flight hours. Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable unit is a unit that has accumulated less than 55,750 flight hours. (5) The operator must not interchange or replace spoiler actuators on more than two hydraulic circuits at the same time. This will mitigate the risk of having a malfunction on the three hydraulic systems at the same time. FAA AD Differences Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: This AD does not include the reporting requirement specified in paragraph (1) of the MCAI. The MCAI carried this requirement forward from European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2007-0245, dated September 5, 2007. We previously determined that no action was required on our part regarding EASA AD 2007-0245. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate,FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0058, dated March 20, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-27-6060, dated February 18, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300- 27A6062, dated July 6, 2007; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-27-6060, excluding Appendix 1, dated February 18, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-27A6062, excluding Appendix 1, dated July 6, 2007; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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.