ALL OPERATORS TELEX - ALL OPERATORS TELEX

SUBJECT: A340 - ATA52 - INSPECTION OF AFT CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR

OUR REF: AOT A340-52A4091 DATED 20 DECEMBER 2010

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

All A340-200/300 up to MSN 163 included that do not have SB 52-4054

incorporated.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION

REF.1: SB 52-4053 rev 01

REF.2: SB 52-4054 rev 01

3. REASON

3.1 FACTS

The affected aircraft have been subject to a mandatory inspection

program of the aft cargo door called by SB ref.1 at a threshold of 12000

Flight Cycles (FC) and a repeat interval of 4000 FC. Accomplishment of

Mod SB ref.2 reinforces the cargo door structure and cancels the

inspection requirement.

During a routine 2A check, an operator found the aft cargo door frame

64A cracked on a length of more than 3 inches. Outer skin rivets were

also found sheared. At time of finding the aircraft had accumulated

10564 FC, i.e. below the 12000 FC threshold of inspection SB ref.1. The

affected aircraft did not have SB ref.2 incorporated.

3.2 CONSEQUENCES

In case of one cracked or ruptured cargo door frame, the loads will be

transferred to the remaining structural elements. This second load path

is able to sustain the loads for a limited number of flight cycles.

With the current inspection threshold and interval as per SB ref. 1, the

detection of a crack cannot be guaranteed, which might lead to cracking

or rupture of a second cargo door frame.

A Safety Assessment has shown that rupture of two frames represents an

unsafe condition due to loss of the structural integrity of the aft

cargo door.

3.3 AIM

The aim of this AOT is to provide instructions for an inspection of the

aft cargo door outer skin for sheared, loose or missing rivets at all

frame fork ends.

4. ACTION REQUIRED

4.1 PLANNING

Before the accumulation of 4000 FC since the first flight or within 400

FC after the AOT reception, whichever occurs later, the inspection

described in paragraph 4.3 has to be performed and has to be repeated

every 400 FC.

4.2 MANPOWER

0.2 man-hours per aircraft are estimated for the inspection.
4.3 DESCRIPTION

Before inspecting, close and lock the aft cargo door.

Perform a detailed visual inspection of outer skin rivets at the frame

fork ends between FR60 and Fr64A. Refer to the area A of the appendix 01

for details of the inspection. Inspect each area for sheared, loose or

missing rivets.

If no sheared, loose or missing rivet is found, repeat the inspection

within the next 400 FC.

If rivets are found sheared, loose or missing, no further flight is

permitted. Contact Airbus for corrective action.

4.4 MATERIAL

AIRBUS MATERIAL, LOGISTICS AND SUPPLIERS

WEG BEIM JAEGER 150

D-22335 HAMBURG

GERMANY

FAX: + 49 40 5076 4012

INTERNET: HTTP://SPARES.AIRBUS.COM

5. TERMINATING ACTION

The existing SB Ref.1 will be revised to take into account the new

threshold and new inspection interval of this AOT. SB revision 02 and

subsequent will supersede and cancel this AOT.

Accomplishment of Mod SB ref.2 will also cancel the repetitive

inspection requirement of this AOT.

6. AOT APPROVAL

The technical content of this AOT has been approved under EASA design

organisation EASA.21J.031.

It is anticipated that this AOT will be rendered mandatory by an EASA

AD.

7. REPORTING/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this AOT within 48

hours after receipt to:

MS. CECILE BORDES SEES

E-MAIL Cecile.bordes@airbus.com

FAX NUMBER +33+ (0)5 61.93.47.35

This acknowledgement can be made through the AIRBUS field service where

available.

Question about this AOT and inspection results with or without findings

are to be sent to AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVICES ENGINEERING as soon as

possible, after the AOT application, to the attention of:

MR. PIERRE BARBEAU SEES3

PHONE NUMBER +33+ (0)5 67.19.73.35

FAX NUMBER +33+ (0)5 61.93.36.14

E-MAIL PIERRE.BARBEAU@AIRBUS.COM

Best Regards

PHILIPPE GOURDON

VICE PRESIDENT A330/A340 PROGRAMME
CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE

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