AD NUMBER: 2015-16-02

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is 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 the products listed above.

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. The FAA is 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 15, 2015.

FMI: AD