ALL OPERATORS TELEX - ALL OPERATORS TELEX

SUBJECT: A340 - ATA52 - INSPECTION OF FORWARD CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR OUR REF: AOT A340-52A4092 DATED 20 DECEMBER 2010

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED All A340-200/300 aircraft. 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION Ref.1: SRM 52-31-00 Fig.3 Sheet 1 Item 140 Ref.2: SRM 52-31-00 Fig.3 Sheet 1 Item 145 3. REASON 3.1 FACTS Two operators have recently reported 4 cases of some sheared fasteners on the outside skin of the forward cargo door. These findings were detected during walk around checks. Further inspections revealed crack findings on the frame fork ends ref.1&2. At time of findings the aircraft had accumulated between 14873 Flight Cycles (FC) and 16548 FC. Similar crack findings on the aft cargo door are subject to a mandatory inspection program. As of today no specific inspection program exists for the forward cargo door. 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. A Safety Assessment has shown that rupture of two frames represents an unsafe condition due to the loss of the structural integrity of the forward cargo door. 3.3 AIM The aim of this AOT is to provide instructions for an inspection of the forward 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 6000 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 800 FC.

4.2 MANPOWER 0.2 man-hours per aircraft are estimated for the inspection. 4.3 DESCRIPTION Before inspecting, close and lock the forward cargo door.Perform a detailed visual inspection of outer skin rivets at frames fork end between Fr20B and Fr25. Refer to area A of the appendix 01 for details of the inspection. Inspect each area for sheared or loose rivets. If no sheared, loose or missing rivet is found, repeat inspection within the next 800 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 An inspection service bulletin for the forward cargo door is under preparation and will supersede and cancel this AOT. TFU 52.31.00.007 to be published in Dec 2010 will keep operators informed about the forthcoming terminating action. 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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