airworthiness · Rule · Final rule. · Published 2016-01-13 · Effective 2016-02-17 · 81 FR 1497
Document
Document number
2015-32256
Federal Register citation
81 FR 1497
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
airworthiness
Manufacturer
Airbus
Publication date
2016-01-13
Effective date
2016-02-17
FAA docket
Docket No. FAA-2015-0937
Abstract
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-24-05 for certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, - 303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, and Model A340- 200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-24-05 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the hole(s) of the horizontal flange of the keel beam, and repair if necessary. This new AD requires changing the inspection compliance times, and, for certain airplanes, adding a one- time ultrasonic inspection for cracking at a certain fastener hole. This new AD also provides optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by a determination that the rototest inspection and applicable corrective actions of a certain fastener hole were inadvertently omitted from the requirements in AD 2011-24-05. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fastener holes, which could result in rupture of the keel beam, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.