AL ERT OPERATOR TRANSMI SSI ON - ALERT OPERATOR TRANSMI SSI ON

SUBJECT: A340 - ATA52 - INSPECTI ON OF FORWARD CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR AT FRAMES 20B and 21 OUR REF: AOT A340 - A52L 004 - 12 dated 3 Dec 2012 1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED All A340 - 200/300 aircraft 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION Ref.1: SRM 52 - 31 - 00 Fig.3 Sheet 1 It em 100 Ref.2: SRM 52 - 31 - 00 Fig.3 Sheet 1 It em 105 Ref.3: AOT A330 - 52A3085 - Inspection of forward cargo compartment door Ref.4: IPC 52 - 31 - 11 - COVER - ACCESS, HANDLE Zone(s): 821 - Access panels 821DR and 821CR Ref.5: TFU 52.31.00.007 Forward cargo door cracked frame Ref.6: AOT A340 - 52A4092 - Inspection of forward cargo compartment door 3. REASON 3.1 FACTS One operator has recently reported a case of A330 forward cargo door with two adjacent frame f orks found cracked. Frame 20B (Ref.1) was found cracked through, frame 21 (Ref.2) was found cracked half through. At time of findings the aircraft had accumulated around 21000 FC. This A/C has been regularly inspected as per AOT Ref.3 inspection. However, during AOT Ref.3 accomplishment, the forward cargo door handle access panels 821 CR and 821 DR (Ref.4) were not removed, thus cracks at these two frames location might have remained undetected. Note: A330/A340 forward cargo door Frame 20B between beam 3 and beam 4 is inspected according to ALI Task 523106 - 01 - 1 (for A/C pre - mod 50528 and A/C pre - mod 51038) with a first inspection at 10600FC and repetitive inspections every 2600 FC. 3.2 CONSEQUENCES In case of one cracked or ruptured forward or aft cargo d oor 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.A Safet y Assessment has shown that rupture of two vertical frames represents an unsafe

condition due to the loss of the structural integrit y of the cargo door. As a consequence of the above and based on this new event on forward cargo door, it is necessary to launch an in - service action for both forward and aft cargo doors to ensure that s tructure behind handle access panels has been properly inspected. 3.3 AIM The aim of this AOT is to provide instructions for a repetitive inspection of the forward cargo door frames Fr20B and Fr21 for cracks and for sheared, loose or missing rivets. 4 . ACTION REQUIRED 4.1 PLANNING

- For A/C having accumulated less than 18400 FC after the first flight, perform the inspection described in paragraph 4.3 before the accumulation of 10600 FC after the first flight or within 100 FC from AOT issue date which ever occurs later. Afterwards, inspection described in paragraph 4.3 has to be repeated every 800FC.

- For A/C having accumulated more than 18400 FC after the first flight, perform the inspection described in paragraph 4.3 within 50 FC from AOT issue dat e. Afterwards, inspection described in paragraph 4.3 has to be repeated every 800FC. 4.2 MANPOWER 0.5 man - hours per aircraft are estimated for the inspection accomplishment. 4.3 DESCRIPTION Before inspecting, close and lock the forward cargo door. Pe rform a detailed inspection (DET) of outer skin rivets at Fr21 and Fr20B fork ends for loose, sheared or missing rivets (Refer to appendix 01) Remove handle access panels 821CR and 821DR Ref. 4 (Refer to appendix 02). Perform an internal detailed inspect ion of the whole Fr20B and Fr21 forks for cracks and for loose, sheared or missing rivets at frame web and flanges (Refer to appendix 03). In case of crack findings or rivets found sheared, loose or missing, the forward cargo door has to be repaired befo re next flight. Contact Airbus for repair instructions.In case of nil finding repeat this inspection every 800FC as well as the inspection as per AOT Ref.6 remains applicable. 4.4 MATERIAL AIRBUS MATERIAL, LOGI STI CS AND SUPPLIERS WEG BEIM JAEGER 150 D - 22335 HAMBURG GERMANY FAX: + 49 40 5076 4012 IN TERNET: HTTP://SPARES.AIRBUS.COM 5. TERMI

NATING ACTION A repetitive inspection service bulletin for the forward cargo door is under preparation and will supersede and cancel this AOT as well as AOT Ref. 6. It is anticipated that this inspection service bulletin will be mandatory . TFU Ref.5 will keep operators informed about the forthcoming terminating action. 6. AOT APPROVAL The technical content of this document is approved under the authorit y of DOA nr . EASA.21J.031. It is anticipated that this AOT will be rendered mandatory by an EASA AD. 7. REPORTI

NG/ACKNOWL EDGEMENT Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this AOT within 48 hours after receipt to: Cecile BORDES, SEES E - mail: cecile.bord es@airbus.com Fax number: +33+ (0)5 61.93.36.14 Question about this AOT and inspection results with or without findings are to be sent to AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVI CES ENGINEERING as soon as possible, after the AOT application, to the attention of: Celine GAL LET, SEES3 Phone number: +33+ (0)5 61.18.87.45 Fax number: +33+ (0)5 61.93.36.14 E - mail: celine.gallet@airbus.comBest Regards,

Jean - Lu c MOUYSSET Philippe GOURDON VI CE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING SUPPORT VI CE PRESI DENT A330/A340 PROGRAMME CUSTOMER SERVI CES CUSTOMER SERVI CES