AD NUMBER: 2016-21-08

PRODUCT: All Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-25-08 for the aircraft listed above.

AD 2013-25-08 required a repetitive inspection program on certain check valves in the hydraulic systems that includes, among other things, inspections for lock wire presence and integrity, traces of seepage or black deposits, proper torque, alignment of the check valve and manifold, installation of new lock wire, and corrective actions if needed.

This new AD removes airplanes from the applicability, and requires modifying the green, blue, and yellow high pressure hydraulic manifolds by replacing certain check valves with improved check valves, which terminates the repetitive inspections required by this AD. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of hydraulic line check valves loosening.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 27, 2016.

FMI: AD