AD NUMBER: 2019-21-13

PRODUCT: All Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-22-18, which applied to the products listed above.

AD 2012-22-18 required repetitive inspections of the three inner acoustic panels of both engine air inlet (intake) cowls to detect disbonding, and corrective actions, if necessary.

This AD continues to require all actions required by AD 2012-22-18, with a reduced initial compliance time and reduced repetitive inspection intervals.

These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.

This AD was prompted by additional reports of engine air inlet cowl collapse.

DATES: This AD is effective December 18, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 47 airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

Retained actions from AD 2012-22-18:

• Labor: Up to 20 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $1,700 per airplane.

Estimated Costs for Optional Actions:

• Labor: Up to 154 work hours × $85 per hour = Up to $13,090 per airplane.
• The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts costs for the optional actions.

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions:

• Labor: Up to 34 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $2,890 per airplane.
• The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts costs for the on-condition actions.

FMI: AD