AD 2008-02-17

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 28, 2008.

(b) This AD supersedes AD 99-18-20, Amendment 39-11286.

(c) This AD applies to General Electric Company (GE) CF6-50, -80A1/A3, and -80C2A series turbofan engines. These engines are installed on Airbus A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes.

(d) This AD results from refined safety analyses performed on the thrust reverser systems by GE and Airbus. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent in-flight thrust reverser deployment, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the actions have already been done.

(f) For CF6-50 series turbofan engines, perform initial thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 4, dated August 30, 2007, as follows:

(1) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.

(2) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(3) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 1,500 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(4) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform the initial inspections and checks within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(g) For CF6-50 series turbofan engines, perform repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 4, dated August 30, 2007, as follows:

(1) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks at the following:

(i) Within every 2,500 hours time-since-last-inspection (TSLI), perform paragraph 2.D., Translating Cowl Air Seal, Dagmar Fairing and Aft Frame Inspection; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check.

(ii) Within every 6,000 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.C., Pneumatic Drive Motor (PDM) Disc Brake Holding Torque Check; paragraph 2.E., Feedback Rod to Yoke Alignment Check and Inspection of Feedback Yoke and Feedback Rod; paragraph 2.F., Translating Cowl Auto Re-Stow Function Check; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check.

(2) Within every 7,000 hours TSLI on Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Three Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks.

(3) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and without TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks at the following:

(i) Within every 2,500 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.D., Translating Cowl Air Seal, Dagmar Fairing and Aft Frame Inspection; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check.

(ii) Within every 6,000 hours TSLI, perform paragraph 2.C., Pneumatic Drive Motor (PDM) Disc Brake Holding Torque Check; paragraph 2.E., Feedback Rod to Yoke Alignment Check and Inspection of Feedback Yoke and Feedback Rod; paragraph 2.G., Translating Cowl Auto Re-Stow Function Check; paragraph 2.H., Over Pressure Shutoff Valve (OPSOV) Indication Check; and paragraph 2.I., Fan Reverser Operational Check.

(4) On Airbus A300 series airplanes with a Two Light Reverser Indication Circuit configuration, and with TRAS locks installed, perform repetitive inspections and checks within every 7,000 hours TSLI.

(h) For CF6-80A1/A3 series turbofan engines installed on Airbus A310-200 airplanes, perform initial and repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 5, dated July 19, 2007, at the following:

(1) For initial inspection, within 1,500 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(2) For repetitive inspections, within every 7,000 hours TSLI.

(i) For CF6-80C2A series turbofan engines, perform initial thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 7, dated August 30, 2007, at the following:

(1) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that do not have the double/backup P-seal introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, and that do not have locking actuator assemblies (LAAs) installed, within 600 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(2) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that have the double/backup P-seal introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, or that have LAAs installed, within 7,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(3) The DPV pressure switch check per paragraph 2.F. is not applicable to Airbus airplanes with CF6-80C2A5F left-hand and right-hand fan reverser halves (model ES-CF6-5), because this check is performed through the full authority digital electronic control fault detection system.

(j) For CF6-80C2A series turbofan engines, perform repetitive thrust reverser inspections using Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 7, dated August 30, 2007, at the following:

(1) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that do not have the double/backup P-seal, introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, and that do not have LAAs installed, within every 600 hours TSLI.

(2) On Airbus A300-600 and A310 series airplanes with left-hand and right-hand reverser halves that have the double/backup P-seal, introduced by MRAS SB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1005, or that have LAAs installed, within every 7,000 hours TSLI.

(k) On engines that fail an inspection or check required by this AD, perform corrective actions or deactivate the fan reverser per Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, of the applicable MRAS ASB, before further flight.

(l) Initial and repetitive inspections and checks of the thrust reverser actuation systems done before the effective date of this AD that use the following ASBs, comply with the requirements specified in this AD:

(1) MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 2, dated December 18, 1997; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-50 S/B 78A3001, Revision 3, dated May 3, 2006.

(2) MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 3, dated January 21, 1999; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-80A1/A3 S/B 78A1002, Revision 4, dated May 3, 2006.

(3) MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2 S/B 78A1015, Revision 5, dated January 21, 1999; and MRAS ASB No. CF6-80C2A1/A2/A3/A5/A8/A5F S/B 78A1015, Revision 6, dated May 3, 2006.

(m) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(n) France AD 1999-422-IMP(B), dated October 20, 1999, also pertains to the subject of this AD.

(o) Contact Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: Robert.green@faa.gov; telephone (781) 238-7754; fax (781) 238-7199, for more information about this AD.

(p) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to perform the inspections required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the documents listed in Table 1 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Middle River Aircraft Systems, Mail Point 46, 103 Chesapeake Park Plaza, Baltimore, MD, 21220, attn: Warranty Support, telephone: (410) 682-0094, fax: (410) 682-0100 for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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.