Summary
This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300, A300-600, A310, A330, and A340 series airplanes, that currently requires an inspection of the sliding side windows in the cockpit to identify the part number of the windows. For airplanes on which a certain suspect window is installed, that AD also requires either deactivation of the sliding window defogging system; or installation of thermo-sensitive indicators, daily inspections of those indicators, and deactivation of the defogging system, if necessary; or replacement of the window with a serviceable window. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent rupture of a cockpit sliding window and subsequent rapid decompression of the fuselage due to fracture of the window as a result of thermal stress created by overheating of the wires of the heating element in a localized area. This action would require replacement of certain windows with serviceable windows, which, when accomplished, terminates the requirements of the AD.