2013-20-06: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

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 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2013-20-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-17612. Docket No. FAA-2013-0832; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-047-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 12, 2013. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(7) of this AD: (1) AD 2003-14-11, Amendment 39-13230 (68 FR 41521, July 14, 2003); (2) AD 2004-11-08, Amendment 39-13654 (69 FR 31874, June 8, 2004); (3) AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004); (4) AD 2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004); (5) AD 2007-05-12, Amendment 39-14973 (72 FR 10057, March 7, 2007); (6) AD 2008-06-07, Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15, 2008 (73 FR 20367)); and (7) AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, - 312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/ Maintenance Checks. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a determination that existing maintenance requirements are not adequate to address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. Such aging effects could change the characteristics of systems life-limited components leading to an increased potential for failure, which, in isolation or in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, could result in failure of certain life limited parts, which could reduce the structural integrity or the controllability of the airplane. (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) Maintenance Program Revision Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated October 12, 2011. Comply with all applicable instructions and airworthiness limitations included in A340 ALS, Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated October 12, 2011. The initial compliance times for the actions are within the applicable compliance times specified in the Record of Revisions pages of A340 ALS, Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated October 12, 2011, or within 6 monthsafter the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. (h) Alternative Actions or Intervals After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. (i) Terminating Action for Other ADs Accomplishing the revision of the maintenance program and complying with all applicable instructions and airworthiness limitations required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the requirements of the ADs specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(7) of this AD for Model A340 airplanes only. (1) AD 2003-14-11, Amendment 39-13230 (68 FR 41521, July 14, 2003). (2) AD 2004-11-08, Amendment 39-13654 (69 FR 31874, June 8, 2004). (3) AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004). (4) AD 2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004). (5) AD 2007-05-12, Amendment 39-14973 (72 FR 10057, March 7, 2007). (6) AD 2008-06-07, Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15, 2008 (73 FR 20367)). (7) AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012). (j) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International [[Page 64159]] 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. 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, WA 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. (k) Related Information (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2012-0021, dated January 30, 2012, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0832. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified in paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated October 12, 2011. The revision date is not identified on the title page of this document. (ii) Reserved. (3) For 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. (4) 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. (5) 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 an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.