AD 2009-13-07

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 24, 2009.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 series airplanes, certificated in any category; having serial numbers 0845, 0850, 0851, 0852, 0853, 0854, 0855, 0857, 0858, 0859, 0860, 0861, 0862, 0863, 0865, 0866, 0867, 0868, 0869, 0871, 0873, 0875, 0876, 0877, 0879, 0881, 0882, 0883, 0884, 0885, 0887, 0888, 0889, 0890, 0892, 0893, 0895, 0896, 0898, 0899, 0900, 0901, 0903, 0904, 0905, 0906, 0907, 0908, 0909, 0911, 0913, 0914, 0915, 0916, 0918, 0919, 0920, 0922, 0923, and 0951.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26: Fire protection.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

During receipt of spare parts at the final assembly line, it was discovered that lugs of the assembly nut, part number (P/N) A2621005000200, had been inverted (wrong orientation of the braking pin) during manufacturing process at the supplier.

The assembly nut P/N A2621005000200 is part of the engine fire-extinguishing piping assembly. It connects the extinguisher discharge head with the piping. The lugs function is to prevent the connection untwisting once it has been hand-tightened with the correct torque. This lug inversion could give the illusion of correct torque whereas the affected parts are not properly connected.

Loose connection could lead to loss of the fire extinguishing system integrity and therefore inability to ensure the adequate agent concentration. In combination with an engine fire event, it could result in a temporary uncontrolled engine fire, which constitutes an unsafe condition.

To restore connection integrity, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires a one-time general visual inspection of the affected nut assembly to detect and correct any wrong orientation of lugs.

The corrective actions include a temporary repair (restoration) and replacing the fire extinguisher bottle nut assembly with the braking pin in the inverted position, if necessary.

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:

(1) Within 900 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection to detect any wrong orientation of the lugs of the fire extinguisher bottle nut assembly of both engines, and do all applicable corrective actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-26-3043, dated October 7, 2008.

(i) Before further flight, if the correct nut assembly is available, replace the fire extinguisher bottle nut assembly.

(ii) Before further flight, if the correct nut assembly is not available, do the temporary repair; and within 900 flight hours after doing the repair, replace the fire extinguisher bottle nut assembly with the correct one.

(2) Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD using Appendix 01 of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-26-3043, dated October 7, 2008, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD. Send the report to Airbus Department SEEE6, Airbus Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex France, Attn: SDC32 Technical Data and Documentation Services; fax 33 5 61 93 28 06; e-mail sb.reporting@airbus.com.

(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.

(ii) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Note 1:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

(g) 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. Send information to Attn: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2008-0196, dated October 27, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-26-3043, including Appendices 01, 2, and 3, dated October 7, 2008; for related information.

(i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-26-3043, including Appendices 01, 2, and 3, dated October 7, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) 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, e-mail airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com.

(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

(4) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.