2013-26-03: 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 removing the airworthiness directive: (AD) 2011-24-09, Amendment 39-16873 (76 FR 73486, November 29, 2011), and adding the following new AD: 2013-26-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-17712. Docket No. FAA-2013-1030; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-193-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 14, 2014. (b) Affected ADs (1) This AD supersedes AD 2011-24-09, Amendment 39-16873 (76 FR 73486, November 29, 2011). (2) Certain requirements of this AD terminate the requirements of the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (b)(2)(vi) of this AD, for AirbusModel A340 airplanes only. (i) AD 2006-21-08, Amendment 39-14793 (71 FR 61639, October 19, 2006). (ii) AD 2007-14-01, Amendment 39-15123 (72 FR 38006, July 12, 2007). (iii) AD 2008-25-02, Amendment 39-15760 (73 FR 75307, December 11, 2008). (iv) AD 2010-04-09, Amendment 39-16202 (75 FR 7940, February 23, 2010; as corrected in the Federal Register on March 3, 2010 (75 FR 9515). (v) AD 2011-01-02, Amendment 39-16555 (76 FR 432, January 5, 2011). (vi) AD 2012-16-05, Amendment 39-17152 (77 FR 48425, August 14, 2012). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 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 prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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 (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011; and Airbus A340 Variation to revision 00 of ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL), dated January 23, 2012 (variation reference 0FVLG110039/C0S). (2) Comply with all applicable instructions and airworthiness limitations included in A340 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011; and Airbus A340 Variation to revision 00 of ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL), dated January 23, 2012 (variation reference 0FVLG110039/C0S), except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. The initial compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, are at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD; except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (i) Within the applicable compliance times specified in Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, including the Record of Revisions pages of A340 ALS, Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011. (ii) Within 3 months after accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (h) Compliance Time Exception For the tasks specified in the table in Sub-Part 5-4 Repetitive Maintenance/Inspections Tasks of Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, the initial compliance times are at the later of the times specified in paragraph (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD. (1) Before the accumulation of the applicable compliance time specified in the ``Interval'' column on airplanes identified in the ``Applicability'' column. (2) Within 3 months after accomplishing paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (i) Exception for Compliance Time for Modification of Control Circuit Where Airbus A340 ALS Part 5, Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated November 16, 2011, specifies a calendar compliance time for modifying the control circuit for the fuel pump of the center fuel tank (for Model A340-200 and A340-300 airplanes), and of the center and rear center fuel tanks (for Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes), and installing ground fault interrupters to the center tank fuel pump control circuit, the calendar compliance time is September 18, 2016 (48 months after the effective date of AD 2012- 16-05, Amendment 39-17152 (77 FR 48425, August 14, 2012)). (j) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used, except as defined in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, or unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the [[Page 79295]] procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. (k) Terminating Action for Other ADs Accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD terminates the requirements of the ADs specified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(6) of this AD, for Airbus Model A340 airplanes only. (1) AD 2006-21-08, Amendment 39-14793 (71 FR 61639, October 19, 2006). (2) AD 2007-14-01,Amendment 39-15123 (72 FR 38006, July 12, 2007). (3) AD 2008-25-02, Amendment 39-15760 (73 FR 75307, December 11, 2008). (4) AD 2010-04-09, Amendment 39-16202 (75 FR 7940, February 23, 2010; as corrected in the Federal Register on March 3, 2010 (75 FR 9515). (5) AD 2011-01-02, Amendment 39-16555 (76 FR 432, January 5, 2011). (6) AD 2012-16-05, Amendment 39-17152 (77 FR 48425, August 14, 2012). (l) Other FAA AD Provisions 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. 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, InternationalBranch, 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, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returnedto service. (m) Related Information Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2012-0168, dated August 31, 2012, for related information, which can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. (n) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Airbus A340 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5-- Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated November 16, 2011. The revision date is not identified on the title page of this document. (ii) Airbus A340 Variation to revision 00 of ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL), dated January 23, 2012 (variation reference 0FVLG110039/C0S). (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 view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.