Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the allowable load limits on the vertical tail plane could be reached and possibly exceeded in cases of multiple rudder doublet inputs. This AD requires upgrading the flight control data concentrator (FCDC), associated flight control primary computer (FCPC), and flight warning computer (FWC), and activation of the stop rudder input aural warning (SRIW) device, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.