Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R Series Airplanes

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters and replacement of any damaged parts, and mandates modification of the canisters of the center tank fuel pumps, which terminates the repetitive inspections. For certain airplanes, this new AD requires a one-time inspection of the attachment bolts of the outlet flange of the canisters of the center tank fuel pumps for bolts that are too short and do not protrude through the nut, and replacement of the bolts if necessary. This AD results from several reports that the attachment bolts for the canisters, modified by the requirements in the existing AD, are too short and do not fully protrude from the nuts. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the fuel pump and fuel pump canister, which could result in loss of flame trap capability and could provide a fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank.