EASA AD No : 2012-0016

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0016

Date: 26 January 2012

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) :

A310 aeroplanes

TCDS Number : France N° 145

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : None

ATA 57 Wings – Fuel Access Panels – Replacement / Modification

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus model A310-304, A310-322, A310-324, A310-203, A310-204 and A310-

222 aeroplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 0378, 0392, 0399, 0404, 

0406, 0407, 0409, 0410, 0412, 0413, 0416, 0418, 0419, 0421, 0422, 0424, 

0425, 0427, 0428, 0429, 0431, 0432, 0434 to 0437 inclusive, 0439, 0440,

0441, 0443 to 0449 inclusive, 0451 to 0454 inclusive, 0456, 0457, 0458, 0467,

0472, 0473, 0475, 0476, 0478, 0480 to 0485 inclusive, and 0487 to 0499 

inclusive.

Reason: Following a design review of the fuel tank access covers and further analyses 

aiming at comparing compliance of the access covers to different tyre burst 

models, panels ‘Type 21’ revealed to be a matter of concern when located 

within the tyre debris zone. It has been demonstrated that ’Type 21’ Super 

Plastic Formed (SPF) panels for fuel access, installed on left hand (LH) and 

right hand (RH) wings at manhole positions No. 1 and No. 2 of A310 

aeroplanes pre-MSN500 could not sustain in an acceptable manner the impact 

of tyre debris.

This condition, if not corrected, could result, following tyre debris impact, in fuel 

leaking and consequently fire on that area of the aeroplane.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires the replacement of SPF 

‘Type 21’ access panels with ‘Type 11A’ or ‘Type 21R’ access panels and 

concurrent modification of the manhole surrounds at positions No.1 and No.2 

to prevent re-installation of 'Type 21' panels at those positions.

Effective Date: 09 February 2012
EASA AD No : 2012-0016

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the wing 

manhole surrounds and replace the SPF ‘Type 21’ fuel access panels at 

positions 1 and 2 on LH and RH wings with ‘Type 11A’ or ‘Type 21R’ fuel 

access panels, in accordance with the accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A310-57-2097 Revision 01, or in accordance 

with the accomplishment Instructions of Airbus SB A310-57-2033 original 

issue.

(2) After modification of an aeroplane as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, 

do not install SPF ‘Type 21’ fuel access panels on LH or RH wings at 

positions 1 or 2 on that aeroplane.

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A310-57-2097 Revision 01 dated 29 September 2011.

Airbus SB A310-57-2033 original issue dated 15 July 1989.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with 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 26 October 2011 as PAD 11-087 for consultation 

until 23 November 2011. The Comment Response Document can be 

found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/.

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 – EIAW (Airworthiness Office), 

Telephone: + 33 5 61 18 41 39, Fax: + 33 5 61 93 44 51.