EASA AD No.: 2013-0188

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0188

Date: 19 August 2013

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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s):

A310 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: France No. 145

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 28 Fuel – Fuel Quantity Indicator Probes – Inspection / Modification

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A310-304, A310-308, A310-322, A310-324 and A310-325 aeroplanes,

all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus Modification (Mod.) no. 12248 

has been embodied.

Reason: Airbus investigations on A300 aeroplanes revealed insufficient clearance

between the Fuel Quantity Indicator (FQI) probes and adjacent structure or 

metallic components in the wing fuel tanks. A300-600 and A310 aeroplanes are 

also affected as they are identical in design.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to electric arcing in a 

fuel tank in case of lightning strike, which could result in ignition and 

consequent fire or explosion in the fuel tank.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) 

A300-28-0080, SB A300-28-6065 and SB A310-28-2145 and DGAC France 

issued AD 2000-455-322 to cover A300 aeroplanes and AD 2002-170 to cover 

A300-600 and A310 aeroplanes (both ADs were later revised).

Since those ADs were issued, further analysis showed that they do not cover all 

potentially affected aeroplanes: A310 aeroplanes with optional Mod. no. 12248 

embodied were excluded from the applicability of DGAC France AD 2002-

170(B), but are potentially affected, and therefore addressed through this AD.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the 

affected aeroplanes for sufficient clearance between FQI probes and adjacent 

structure / metallic parts and, depending on findings, modification of the FQI 

probes.

Effective Date: 02 September 2013
EASA AD No.: 2013-0188

TE.CAP.00110-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a one-time 

inspection of the clearance between the FQI probes, located in the 

Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer tank, and adjacent structure or metallic 

components in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A310-28-

2145.

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, the 

clearance of an FQI probe is found to be below the minimum allowed, 

before next flight, modify each affected FQI probe in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus SB A310-28-2145.

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A310-28-2145 original issue dated 21 August 2001, or Revision 01 

dated 04 March 2003.

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 17 July 2013 as PAD 13-099 for consultation until 

14 August 2013. 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 – EIAW (Airworthiness Office),

Email: continued.airworthiness-wb.external@airbus.com.