ALERT OPERATOR TRANSMISSION - ALERT OPERATOR TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT: A340 - ATA52 - INSPECTION OF FORWARD CARGO COMPARTMENT 

DOOR AT FRAMES 20B and 21

OUR REF: AOT A340-A52L004-12 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 Item 100

Ref.2: SRM 52-31-00 Fig.3 Sheet 1 Item 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 forks 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 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.
A Safety Assessment has shown that rupture of two vertical frames represents an unsafe

condition due to the loss of the structural integrity 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 

structure 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 whichever 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 date.

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. 

Perform 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 inspection 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 before 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, LOGISTICS AND SUPPLIERS 

WEG BEIM JAEGER 150

D-22335 HAMBURG

GERMANY

FAX: + 49 40 5076 4012

INTERNET: HTTP://SPARES.AIRBUS.COM

5. TERMINATING 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 authority of DOA nr. 

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:

Cecile BORDES, SEES

E-mail: cecile.bordes@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 SERVICES ENGINEERING as soon as possible, after the AOT 

application, to the attention of:

Celine GALLET, SEES3

Phone number: +33+ (0)5 61.18.87.45

Fax number: +33+ (0)5 61.93.36.14

E-mail: celine.gallet@airbus.com
Best Regards,

Jean-Luc MOUYSSET Philippe GOURDON

VICE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING SUPPORT VICE PRESIDENT A330/A340 

PROGRAMME

CUSTOMER SERVICES CUSTOMER SERVICES