FAA issues AD to replace landing gear wheel axles of several Airbus aircraft types

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. The AD was prompted by a report that revealed the wheel axles of the main landing gear (MLG) were machined with a radius as small as 0.4 millimeters. This AD requires replacing the wheel axle of the MLG with a serviceable part. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue of the wheel axle of the MLG, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. This AD becomes effective May 23, 2013.