AD 2021-15-07 Prompted By Reports Of Incorrect Installation Of The Lower Attachment Parts Of The THSA

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes.

This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the lower attachment parts of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA). This AD requires doing a detailed inspection of the THSA lower attachment parts for discrepancies and corrective action if necessary, and prohibits using earlier versions of certain airplane maintenance manual (AMM) tasks, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 9, 2021.

Supplementary Information: EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0033, dated January 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0033) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. Model A330-743L airplanes are not certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2021 (86 FR 26855). The NPRM was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the lower attachment parts of the THSA. The NPRM proposed to require doing a detailed inspection of the THSA lower attachment parts for discrepancies and corrective action if necessary, and to prohibit using earlier versions of certain AMM tasks, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0033.

FMI: www.regulations.gov