EASA AD No. : 2010-0252 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2010-0252 

Date: 29 November 2010 

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 EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.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]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

AIRBUS 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

A330 and A340-500/-600 aeroplanes 

TCDS Number : EASA.A.004, EASA.A.015 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 53 Fuselage - Nuts – Inspection / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie) 

Applicability: Airbus A330 aeroplanes, models -201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, 

- 303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342 and -343, manufacturer serial numbers: 

0895, 0898 to 0900 inclusive, 0903 to 0909 inclusive, 0911, 0913 to 0916 

inclusive, 0918 to 0920 inclusive, 0922, 0923, 0926, 0927, 0930 to 0932 

inclusive, 0934 to 0936 inclusive, 0940 and 0951. 

Airbus A340 aeroplanes, models -541, -542, -642 and -643, manufacturer 

serial numbers: 0846, 0848, 0894, 0897, 0902, 0910, 0912, 0917 and 0929. 

Reason: During structural part assembly in Airbus production line, some nuts Part 

Number (P/N) ASNA2531-4 were found cracked. 

Investigations were performed to determine batches of the affected nuts. 

Static, fatigue and corrosion tests were performed and demonstrated that no 

immediate maintenance action is necessary. However, due to the large 

number of these nuts fitted on primary structural elements, this condition, if 

not corrected, could impair the structural integrity of the affected aeroplanes.

This AD requires detailed inspection and replacement of nuts P/N 

ASNA2531-4 with new ones having the same P/N, in order to restore the 

structural integrity of the affected aeroplanes, and the accomplishment of 

the applicable corrective actions. 

Effective Date: 13 December 2010 
EASA AD No. : 2010-0252 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

 

Required action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless already accomplished: 

(1) For nuts P/N ASNA2531-4 located in fuel tank areas overcoated with 

sealant, within 12 years after the aeroplane first flight, perform a detailed 

inspection of these nuts, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin (SB) A330-53-3183 or Airbus SB A340-53-5056, as 

applicable to the aeroplane type, and: 

(1.1) If any nut is missing, before next flight contact Airbus to obtain the 

necessary approved instructions for corrective action and 

accomplish those instructions accordingly. 

(1.2) If any nut is cracked, before next flight, inform Airbus and replace 

the cracked nuts with new nuts having the same P/N. 

(1.3) If any nut is neither missing nor cracked, before next flight, 

replace them with new nuts having the same P/N. 

(2) For nuts P/N ASNA2531-4 located in other areas, within 6 years after 

the aeroplane first flight, perform a detailed inspection of these nuts, in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A330-53-3183 or Airbus 

SB A340-53-5056 , as applicable to the aeroplane type, and: 

(2.1) If any nut is missing, before next flight contact Airbus to obtain the 

necessary approved instructions for corrective action and 

accomplish those instructions accordingly. 

(2.2) If any nut is cracked, before next flight, inform Airbus and replace 

the cracked nuts with new nuts having the same P/N. 

(2.3) If any nut is neither missing nor cracked, before next flight, 

replace them with new nuts having the same P/N. 

(3) Within 90 days after the accomplishment of the inspections required by 

paragraphs (1) and (2) of this AD, report to Airbus the inspection results, 

in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A330-53-3183 or Airbus 

SB A340-53-5056, as applicable to the aeroplane type. 

Ref. Publications: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3183 at original issue dated 30 September 

2010; 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-5056 at original issue dated 07 October 

2010. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents 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 published on 27 October 2010 as PAD 10-113 for 

consultation until 25 November 2010. No comments were received 

during the consultation period. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, 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 – Airworthiness Office – EAL; 

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