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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2007 – 0207R1 

Date: 07 November 2007

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

AIRBUS SAS

Type/Model designation(s) : 

A340-500/-600 series

TCDS Number: EASA A.015 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Revision : This Airworthiness Directive (AD) revises and replaces EASA AD 2007-0207 dated 03 

August 2007 

ATA 57 Wings – Centre Wing Box / Rear Spar Vertical Cruciform at 

Frame 47 – Inspection / Repair 

Manufacturer(s): AIRBUS (formerly AIRBUS INDUSTRIE) 

Applicability: AIRBUS A340 aircraft, models -541 and -642, all serial numbers, except 

those on which AIRBUS modification 56026 has been embodied in 

production or AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A340-57-5010 has been 

embodied in service. 

Reason: During the A340-600 full scale fatigue test, cracks were found on left and 

right sides of the rear spar vertical cruciform at Frame 47. 

This situation, if not corrected, can affect the aircraft structural integrity. 

Further to this full scale fatigue test completion, it has been determined 

that the current inspections values (thresholds and intervals) as specified 

in the ALI tasks 57.18.16 have to be reviewed in order to comply with 

certification requirements. Consequently AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) 

A340-57-5011 has been issued to supersede the ALI tasks 57.18.16. 

This AD mandates a repetitive inspection program in order to detect any 

crack by means of two Non-Destructive Test (NDT) inspection methods 

(High Frequency Eddy Current and Ultra Sonic). 

This AD has been revised in order to exclude from the applicability section, 

A340-642 aircraft on which a terminating action modification 56026 or SB 

A340-57-5010 has been embodied and which consists of a large cut-out of 

the vertical cruciform flange in order to reduce the stress level in this critical 

area. 
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Effective Date: 17 August 2007 (effective date of AD 2007-0207) 

Compliance: Required as indicated after the effective date of this AD: 

1. Unless already accomplished, within the thresholds (total Flight Cycles 

(FC) or Flight Hours (FH), whichever occurs first) mentioned in the 

paragraph E. (2) of SB A340-57-5011, depending on the configuration 

of the aircraft, carry out the NDT inspections of the cruciform fitting 

radius at Frame 47 on RH and LH sides, in accordance with the 

instructions of SB A340-57-5011 and send the inspection report to 

AIRBUS. 

2. Should no crack be detected, repeat the inspection within the intervals 

(FC or FH, whichever occurs first) given in the paragraph E. (2) of SB 

A340-57-5011, depending on the configuration of the aircraft, in 

accordance with instructions of SB A340-57-5011 and send the 

inspection report to AIRBUS. 

3. In case of any crack finding during the first or repetitive inspection, 

contact AIRBUS in order to get repair instructions and repair before 

any further flight. 

This AD supersedes the inspection requirements of A340-500/-600 ALI 

tasks 57.18.16 (10 different tasks). 

When the aircraft has been modified in accordance with SB A340-57-

5010, the actions 1, 2 and 3 of compliance section of this AD are no 

longer required. 

Ref. Publications: AIRBUS Service Bulletin A340-57-5010 

AIRBUS Service Bulletin A340-57-5011 

or later approved revisions. 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can accept 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. This AD was posted on 04 July 2007 as PAD 07-115 for consultation 

until 19 July 2007. The Comment Response Document (CRD) can be 

found under http://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

3. Enquiries regarding this Airworthiness Directive should be referred to 

the Airworthiness Directive Focal Point - Certification 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 –Airworthiness Office – EAL 

E- mail: airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com.