Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes

Resumen

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. That proposed AD would have required repetitive inspections for evidence of corrosion and sheared attachment bolts of the sensor struts at flap track 4 on the left and right sides of the airplane; related investigative and corrective actions as necessary; and a terminating action for the repetitive inspections, by requiring the eventual replacement of all sensor struts with new, improved sensor struts that are less sensitive to corrosion. This new action revises the proposed AD by changing the threshold for the initial inspection and reducing the compliance time for the terminating action. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of the sensor strut function, resulting in the inability to detect flap drive disconnection at flap track stations 4 and 5, which could lead to separation of the outboard flap from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.