FAA proposes new airworthiness directives

Airline Industry Information, Dec 23, 1999

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a document proposing the supersedure of an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, -400 series aircraft. The existing AD currently requires repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections to detect cracking of the front spar web of the centre section of the wing, and repair if necessary. This proposed document would requires that the existing inspection be accomplished at a reduced threshold and would add a requirement that the existing HFEC inspection be carried out on repaired areas. Comments about this proposal are due by 4 February 2000.

A document proposing the supersedure of another AD has been released by the FAA. the current AD is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B2K, A300 B2-200, A300 B4, A300 B4-100, and A300 B4-200 series aircraft and requires certain structural inspections and modifications. This proposal would mandate that these inspections are also carried out on additional aircraft and would require new repetitive inspections for aircraft in certain configurations at revised thresholds and intervals. Comments must be received by 20 January 2000.

An amendment adopting an AD applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series aircraft has been issued by the FAA. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the inner skin panel of the longitudinal lap joint to detect cracking as well as repair, modification and new repetitive inspections if necessary. This AD is effective from 25 January 2000.

Also effective on 25 January 2000 is an AD applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series aircraft that requires replacement of the rudder trim switch in the flight compartment with a new switch featuring a longer shaft.

It also requires modification of wiring in panel 408VU and replacement of the rudder trim control knob with an improved control knob.

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