EASA AD No : 2011-0173 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2011-0173 

Date: 13 September 2011 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with 

Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of 

the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation. 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

AIRBUS 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

A330 aeroplanes 

TCDS Number : EASA A.004 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 71 Power Plant – Engine Air Inlet Cowl Acoustic Panels – Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie) 

Applicability: Airbus A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342 and A330-343 aeroplanes, 

all manufacturer serial numbers. 

Reason: Two operators of A330 aeroplanes fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines 

reported finding extensive damage to engine air intake cowls as a result of 

acoustic panel collapse, most probably caused by panel disbonding. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the detachment of 

the engine air intake cowl from the engine, possibly resulting in ingestion of 

parts by, and consequence damage to, the engine, or injury to persons on the 

ground. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive special detailed 

inspections (tap tests) of the 3 inner acoustic panels of both engine air intake 

cowls to detect any disbonding and, depending on findings, applicable 

corrective actions. 

Effective Date: 27 September 2011 
EASA AD No : 2011-0173 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless already accomplished: 

(1) Within the threshold indicated in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, 

accomplish a special detailed inspection of the three inner acoustic panels 

of each engine air intake cowl, in accordance with the instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A330-71-3024. 

Table 1 

Time accumulated by the 

engine air intake cowl since 

its first installation on an 

aeroplane, on the effective 

date of this AD 

Compliance Time 

Less than 5 000 flight cycles 

(FC) or 20 000 flight hours 

(FH), whichever occurs first 

Within 24 months after the 

engine air intake cowl has 

accumulated 5 000 FC or 

20 000 FH, whichever occurs 

first since its first installation on 

an aeroplane 

Equal to or exceeding 5 000 

FC or 20 000 FH, whichever 

occurs first 

Within 24 months after the 

effective date of this AD 

(2) After the effective date of this AD, whenever an engine air intake cowl is 

replaced, within the compliance time specified in paragraph (2.1) or (2.2) 

of this AD, as applicable, accomplish a special detailed inspection of the 

three inner acoustic panels of the affected engine air intake cowl, in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A330-71-3024. 

(2.1) Within 24 months after the engine air intake cowl accumulates 5 

000 FC or 20 000 FH, whichever occurs first since its first 

installation on an aeroplane, or 

(2.2) Before installation on an aeroplane, if the engine air intake cowl 

has already accumulated or exceeded 5 000 FC or 20 000 FH 

since its first installation on an aeroplane, and has not been 

inspected in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A330-

71-3024 during the preceding 24 months period. 

(3) Depending on findings as a result of an inspection as required by 

paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this AD, and within the time period 

specified in Airbus SB A330-71-3024, accomplish the appropriate 

corrective actions (further inspections and/or repair of the affected engine 

air intake cowl, or replacement of the affected engine air intake cowl), 

followed by repetitive inspections, in accordance with the instructions of 

Airbus SB A330-71-3024. 

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A330-71-3024 original issue, dated 11 May 2011. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 21 July 2011 as PAD 11-073 for consultation until 

18 August 2011. No comments were received during the consultation 

period. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: AIRBUS SAS – Airworthiness Office – EAL, 

Fax: +33 5 61 93 45 80, E-mail: airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com.