Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes, that currently requires performing a ram air turbine (RAT) extension test; removing and disassembling the RAT uplock mechanism; performing an inspection to detect corrosion of the RAT uplock mechanism, and replacement with a new assembly, if necessary; and cleaning all the parts of the RAT control shaft and its bearing component parts. This amendment requires modification of the RAT unlocking control unit, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive tests and inspections. This amendment also limits the applicability of the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the RAT uplock pin/shaft and needle, which could result in failure of the RAT to deploy and consequent loss of emergency hydraulic power to the flight controls in the event that power is lost in both engines.