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FAA orders · airworthiness directive · historical

2015-16-02: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

FAA order 2015-16-02 is an airworthiness directive in force since September 15, 2015. The FAA's subject line: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. It names Airbus A330: about 153 aircraft on the U.S. register today, 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, A330-223F, A330-243, A330-243F, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343
On this site
Airbus A330 153 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
September 15, 2015
Published
August 11, 2015 (signed July 28, 2015)
Docket
FAA-2013-0834
Replaces
2009-18-20, 2007-05-12, 2003-14-11, 2004-11-08, 2012-04-07, 2010-15-02, 2004-13-25, 2004-18-14, 2008-06-07
Replaced by
2017-05-10
Status
Historical
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are superseding Airworthiness Directives (AD) 2003-14-11, AD 2004-11-08, AD 2004-13-25, AD 2004-18-14, AD 2007-05-12, AD 2008-06- 07, AD 2009-18-20, AD 2010-15-02, and AD 2012-04-07 that apply to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. AD 2003-14-11, AD 2004-11-08, AD 2004-13-25, AD 2004-18-14, AD 2007-05-12, AD 2008-06-07, AD 2009-18-20, AD 2010-15-02, and AD 2012-04-07 required revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations; replacing certain flap rotary actuators; repetitively inspecting elevator servo-controllers and pressure relief valves of the spoiler servo controls; repetitively testing the elevator servo control loops, modifying the elevator servo controls, and repetitively replacing certain retraction brackets of the main landing gear; and revising the airplane flight manual. This new AD requires revising the maintenance program or inspection program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This new AD also removes Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes from the applicability and adds Airbus Model A330-323 airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. Such aging effects could change the characteristics of those systems, 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 of the airplane or reduce the controllability of the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (11,309 characters)
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 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-14-11, Amendment 39-13230 (68 FR 41521, July 14, 2003); AD 2004-11-08, Amendment 39-13654 (69 FR 31874, June 8, 2004); AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004); AD 2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004); AD 2007-05-12, Amendment 39-14973 (72 FR 10057, March 7, 2007); AD 2008-06-07, Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15, 2008 (73 FR 20367)); AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009); AD 2010-15-02, Amendment 39-16368 (75 FR 42589, July 22, 2010); AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: 2015-16-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-18227. Docket No. FAA-2013-0834; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-045-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD becomes effective September 15, 2015. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(9) 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)). (7) AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009). (8) AD 2010-15-02, Amendment 39-16368 (75 FR 42589, July 22, 2010). (9) AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, - 243, -223F, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/ Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. Such aging effects could change the characteristics of those systems, 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 of the airplane or reduce the controllability of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Maintenance Program Revision and Actions Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, and Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM), Variation 4.1 and Variation 4.2, both dated July 23, 2014. The initial compliance times for the actions are within the applicable compliance times specified in the Record of Revisions pages of Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM), Variation 4.1 and Variation 4.2, both dated July 23, 2014, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (h) Exceptions to Initial Compliance Times (1) Where Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar compliance time for elevator servo-controls having part number (P/N) SC4800-2, SC4800-3, SC4800-4, SC4800-6, SC4800-7, or SC4800-8 as ``August 31, 2004,'' the calendar compliance time is June 13, 2007 (34 months after August 13, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004))). (2) Where Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar compliance time for spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) having P/N 1386A0000-01, P/N 1386B0000-01, P/N 1387A0000-01 or P/N 1387B0000-01 as ``December 31, 2003,'' the calendar compliance time is November 19, 2005 (13 months after October 19, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004))). (3) Where Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar compliance time for elevator servo-controls having P/N SC4800-73, SC4800-93, SC4800-103 and SC4800-113 as ``June 30, 2008,'' the calendar compliance time is September 16, 2009 (17 months after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-06-07, Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15, 2008 (73 FR 20367)))). (4) The initial compliance time for replacement of the retraction brackets of the main landing gear (MLG) having a part number specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) through (h)(4)(xvi) of this AD is before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on the affected retraction brackets of the MLG, or within 900 flight hours after April 9, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-04-07, Amendment 39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012), whichever occurs later. (i) 201478303 (ii) 201478304 (iii) 201478305 (iv) 201478306 (v) 201478307 (vi) 201478308 (vii) 201428380 (viii) 201428381 (ix) 201428382 (x) 201428383 (xi) 201428384 (xii) 201428385 (xiii) 201428378 (xiv) 201428379 [[Page 48022]] (xv) 201428351 (xvi) 201428352 (5) Where Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar compliance time for the modification of SSCs on three hydraulic circuits having part numbers MZ4339390-01X, MZ4306000-01X, MZ4339390-02X, MZ4306000- 02X, MZ4339390-10X, or MZ4306000-10X as ``March 5, 2010,'' the calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011 (18 months after October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009))). (6) Where Note (6) of ``ATA 27-64-00 Flight Control--Spoiler Hydraulic Actuation,'' of Sub-part 4-2-1, ``Life Limits,'' of Sub- part 4-2, ``Systems Life Limited Components,'' of Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar date of ``September 5, 2008,'' as a date for the determination of accumulated flight cycles since the aircraft initial entry into service, the date is October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009)). (7) Where Note (6) of ``ATA 27-64-00 Flight Control--Spoiler Hydraulic Actuation,'' of Sub-part 4-2-1, ``Life Limits,'' of Sub- part 4-2, ``Systems Life Limited Components,'' of Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, defines a calendar compliance time as ``March 5, 2010,'' for the modification of affected servo controls, the calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011 (18 months after October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009))). (i) No 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. (j) 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, 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 principalinspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (k) Related Information Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0268, dated November 7, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-0834. (l) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 4-- Aging Systems Maintenance, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013. (ii) Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM), Variation 4.1, dated July 23, 2014. (iii) Airbus A330 ALS Part 4--Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM), Variation 4.2, dated July 23, 2014. (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 view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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.

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/2015-16-02.json · aircraft systems.