ALL OPERATORS TELEX - ALL OPERATORS TELEX


SUBJECT: A340 - ATA52 - INSPECTION OF AFT CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR

OUR REF: AOT A340-52A4091 DATED 20 DECEMBER 2010

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

All A340-200/300 up to MSN 163 included that do not have SB 52-4054 
incorporated.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION

REF.1: SB 52-4053 rev 01
REF.2: SB 52-4054 rev 01

3. REASON

3.1 FACTS

The affected aircraft have been subject to a mandatory inspection 
program of the aft cargo door called by SB ref.1 at a threshold of 12000 
Flight Cycles (FC) and a repeat interval of 4000 FC. Accomplishment of 
Mod SB ref.2 reinforces the cargo door structure and cancels the 
inspection requirement.

During a routine 2A check, an operator found the aft cargo door frame 
64A cracked on a length of more than 3 inches. Outer skin rivets were 
also found sheared.  At time of finding the aircraft had accumulated 
10564 FC, i.e. below the 12000 FC threshold of inspection SB ref.1. The 
affected aircraft did not have SB ref.2 incorporated.

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.

With the current inspection threshold and interval as per SB ref. 1, the 
detection of a crack cannot be guaranteed, which might lead to cracking 
or rupture of a second cargo door frame. 

A Safety Assessment has shown that rupture of two frames represents an 
unsafe condition due to loss of the structural integrity of the aft 
cargo door.

3.3 AIM

The aim of this AOT is to provide instructions for an inspection of the 
aft 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 4000 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 400 FC.

4.2 MANPOWER

0.2 man-hours per aircraft are estimated for the inspection.

4.3 DESCRIPTION

Before inspecting, close and lock the aft cargo door.

Perform a detailed visual inspection of outer skin rivets at the frame 
fork ends between FR60 and Fr64A. Refer to the area A of the appendix 01 
for details of the inspection. Inspect each area for sheared, loose or 
missing rivets.

If no sheared, loose or missing rivet is found, repeat the inspection 
within the next 400 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

The existing SB Ref.1 will be revised to take into account the new 
threshold and new inspection interval of this AOT. SB revision 02 and 
subsequent will supersede and cancel this AOT.

Accomplishment of Mod SB ref.2 will also cancel the repetitive 
inspection requirement of this AOT.

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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