2012-04-07: Landing Gear

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Corrected] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2012-04-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-16963. Docket No. FAA-2011-0997; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-043-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 9, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, - 243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers; except airplanes on which Airbus modification 54500 has been embodied in production; and except airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3212 or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32- 4256 has been embodied in service; as applicable to airplane model. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing Gear. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a report that three failures of the retraction bracket occurred during fatigue testing before the calculated life limit of the main landing gear (MLG). We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the retraction bracket, which could result in a MLG extension with no damping, and consequent structural damage of the MLG. (f) Compliance You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. (g) Replacement Before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on the retraction brackets of the MLG or within 900 flight hours after the effective dateof this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace the affected retraction bracket of the MLG specified in table 1 of this AD with a serviceable part, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, or European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on any retraction bracket of the MLG identified in table 1 of this AD, replace the retraction bracket with a serviceable part, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, or EASA (or its delegated agent). Table 1--Retraction Bracket of the MLG ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nomenclature Part No. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Retraction Bracket of the MLG........................... 201478303 201478304 201478305 201478306 201478307 201478308 201428380 201428381 201428382 201428383 201428384 201428385 201428378 201428379 201428351 201428352 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Additional guidance for the replacement can be found in Task 32-11-11-000-804-A, Removal of the MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, and Task 32-11-11-400-804-A, Installation of the MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, of Subsection 32-11-11 of Chapter 32 of the Airbus A330 or A340 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, as applicable. (h) Definitions (1) For purposes of this AD, ``total landings'' is defined as the accumulated landings since the initial entry of the MLG retraction bracket into service on any airplane. (2) For purposes of this AD, the initial entry into service for the transferable systems components/items is defined as the date at which the component/item accomplishes the first flight for which it will undertake its intended function. (i) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (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. (j) Related Information (1) Refer to MCAI Airworthiness Directive EASA AD 2010-0205, dated October 8, 2010, for related information. (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD contact Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference None. [[Page 12991]]