Doors

Draft · under review

Sources: Airbus AC "A300-600 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning" Rev 13 (DEC 01/09; chapter 2.7 "Door Clearances", PDF pp.40-48, rendered and read visually, plus contents page PDF p.9), EASA TCDS EASA.A.172 Issue 08 (1 Feb 2026; text of pp.22, 48, 52, 54, 57-58, 63), FAA AD 2025-19-06 (90 FR 46338, Federal Register HTML downloaded and read in full), FAA JASC code table (grouping and its code descriptions only). This draft is for study only; it is not a maintenance document. The AD item below is what the AD addresses, not an inspection or maintenance instruction; no interval or compliance time is given. Airport-planning drawings are not door-operation or ground-handling instructions. Model names are quoted as printed in each source. The page captions of AC chapter 2.7 read "MODEL A300-600" on pages 2-8 and "MODEL A300 C4-600" on page 9 (2.7.8). No AC value here is applied to the A300 B2/B4 (non-600) family or to the A310; the TCDS and AD items below are given only for the models they name. The sub-section numbers 52-00, 52-10, 52-20 and 52-30 are this site's grouping, following FAA JASC codes 5200, 5210, 5220 and 5230; the AC prints "2.7.x" numbers and the AD prints only code 52, so neither source prints 52-xx numbering for these items.

A300-600 and A300 freighter models · Airbus AC, FAA Airworthiness Directive and EASA TCDS

52-00 General

The FAA JASC table describes code 5200 as "the removable units used for entrance or exit, and for enclosing other structure contained within the fuselage", including passenger and crew doors, cargo doors and emergency exits. It is a US reporting taxonomy, not a description of the A300.^[1]
AC chapter 2.7 "Door Clearances" lists these items in the A300-600 AC: 2.7.1 Forward Passenger/Crew Door, 2.7.2 Mid Passenger/Crew Door, 2.7.3 Emergency Exit, 2.7.4 Aft Passenger/Crew Door, 2.7.5 Forward Cargo Compartment Door, 2.7.6 Aft Cargo Compartment Door, 2.7.7 Bulk Cargo Compartment Door, 2.7.8 Upper Deck Cargo Door, 2.7.9 Radome Travel. The contents page prints 2.7.5 as "Forward Cargo Compartment", without "Door".^[2][2]
The passenger/crew door and emergency exit drawings in chapter 2.7 carry the label "CRITICAL CLEARANCE LIMIT", and the door drawings carry "SEE CHAPTER 2.3" beside a vertical arrow to a ground symbol; the pages give no text definition of either label.^[2]
Model differences in the TCDS (door-related wording as printed): A300 C4-203 (Section 8) is described as differing essentially from the A300 B4-200 series "in the addition of an upper side cargo door"; A300 C4-620 (Section 16) as differing essentially from the A300 B4-600 series "by the addition of an upper deck lateral cargo door"; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R (Section 18) as mainly differing from the A300 B4-600 R series aircraft "by the addition of a lateral main deck cargo door"; A300 C4-605R Variant F (Section 19) as differing essentially from the A300B4-600R series "by the addition of a lateral main deck cargo door", the main difference with the freighter series A300F4-600R consisting "in keeping all doors and windows, like the passenger version".^[3][3][3][3]

52-10 Passenger/crew doors (AC chapter 2.7, A300-600)

The FAA JASC table describes code 5210 as reports of cabin entrance doors, not including door frames, warning systems or cabin emergency exit doors/hatches; typical parts listed are hinges, actuators, latches, handle, seals, structure, spring, cable, bellcrank and skin. This is a US reporting taxonomy.^[1]
The AC has separate pages for a forward passenger/crew door (2.7.1, page 2), a mid passenger/crew door (2.7.2, page 3) and an aft passenger/crew door (2.7.4, page 5). Pages 2 and 5 draw a door outline on both sides of the fuselage centreline in the plan view; page 3 shows one side in the plan view. Each page also has a side view and a cross-section or end view.^[2]
Page 6 (2.7.5 Forward Cargo Compartment Door) labels, on the same drawing as that door, "MID PASSENGER/CREW DOOR" and "FORWARD PASSENGER/CREW DOOR".^[2]
Distances labelled "FROM NOSE" on the drawings, as printed (metres, with feet-inches): mid passenger/crew door 13.08 m (42 ft 10.8 in); aft passenger/crew door 41.38 m (135 ft 9.1 in). The pages do not state in text which point on the door the distance is taken to; the dimension line ends at a vertical line drawn through the door view.^[2][2]
The forward passenger/crew door page (2.7.1) carries no "FROM NOSE" label; its dimensions are listed under Bekliyor.^[2]

52-20 Emergency exits (AC chapter 2.7, A300-600)

The FAA JASC table describes code 5220 as reports of emergency exit doors, windows and hatches; typical parts listed are pan, hinge, latch and hook. This is a US reporting taxonomy.^[1]
AC 2.7.3 "Emergency Exit", model A300-600 (page 4, footer Feb 28/83), shows an exit outline drawn on both sides of the fuselage centreline in the plan view, labelled "FROM NOSE 30.34 m, 99 ft. 6.5 in." with the same reference-point caveat as above.^[2]
TCDS Section 20 (A300B4-600, C4-600, B4-600R, F4-600R and C4-600R series), clause 20.1, lists on page 58 the entry "Equivalent Safety Finding: emergency exits arrangement FAR 25.807 (c) (1)", after the heading on page 57 "Modifications linked to Main Deck Cargo compartment rearrangement for A300F4-600 R" (modifications 12047, 12048, 12049, 12054, 12063, 12103, 12118, 12139, 12194, 12227; "First applicability on A300F4-622R"). The TCDS gives no further content for this finding.^[3]

52-30 Cargo/baggage doors (AC chapter 2.7, A300-600; TCDS; FAA AD 2025-19-06)

The FAA JASC table describes code 5230 as exterior doors used to gain access to cargo or baggage storage areas, not including door frames on the fuselage, door warning or compartment interior furnishings; typical parts listed are door structure, seal, hinge, latch, latch pin, handle and skin. This is a US reporting taxonomy.^[1]
The AC has separate pages for the forward cargo compartment door (2.7.5, page 6, footer Oct 31/89, with the letter "R" printed on the page), the aft cargo compartment door (2.7.6, page 7) and the bulk cargo compartment door (2.7.7, page 8). Their pages have plan, side and section views; page 7 labels "AFT PASSENGER/CREW DOOR", "BULK CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR" and "AFT CARGO COMPARTMENT DOOR" on one drawing.^[2]
Distances labelled "FROM NOSE", as printed: forward cargo compartment door 9.53 m (31 ft 3.3 in); aft cargo compartment door 34.32 m (112 ft 7.2 in); bulk cargo compartment door 37.77 m (123 ft 10.9 in). The reference point on the door is not stated in text.^[2][2][2]
AC 2.7.8 "Upper Deck Cargo Door" is printed for "MODEL A300 C4-600" only (page 9, footer Feb 28/83); its distance labelled "(FROM NOSE)" is 9.93 m (32 ft 7 in).^[2]
The TCDS wording on added cargo doors is quoted under 52-00 above; the door names are given as printed and are not equated with one another or with the AC or AD names (see Bekliyor).^[3][3][3][3]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: FAA AD 2025-19-06 (90 FR 46338, Federal Register 26 Sep 2025, FR Doc. 2025-18761, effective 31 October 2025) gives its subject as "Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors".^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: Applicability as printed: Airbus SAS airplanes in paragraphs (c)(1)-(6), "certified in any category, manufactured in freighter model configuration, or modified in accordance with" the supplemental type certificates ST00177LA-D, ST00178LA-D, ST01431NY or ST00100NY: (1) A300 B4-2C, B4-103 and B4-203; (2) A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620 and B4-622; (3) A300 B4-605R and B4-622R; (4) A300 C4-605R Variant F; (5) A300 F4-605R and F4-622R; (6) A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324 and -325.^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: The Summary groups A300 B4-600, B4-600R and F4-600R series and A300 C4-605R Variant F as "collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes".^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: What the AD addresses: investigations found fatigue cracks on the MDCD actuator bearing fitting. The unsafe condition named is potential cracking of the MDCD actuator bearing fittings, which, if not addressed, "could lead to MDCD undamped free fall from open position during MDCD operations or during cargo loading/off-loading, resulting in injury to people on the ground".^[4][4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: The AD's Background, in its account of the MCAI, says: "There is no unsafe condition during flight when the cargo door is fully closed, latched, and locked." This is the FAA's wording; the EASA text itself was not read.^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: The AD's Summary lists three areas it requires action on: an operational limitation to the MDCD opening angle, repetitive detailed visual inspection (DET) of the MDCD actuator bearing fittings, and replacement if any cracks are found. The AD itself adopts these by reference to EASA AD 2024-0092R1 (July 10, 2024) and gives no angle, interval or compliance time in its paragraphs (a) through (l). This describes what the AD addresses, not a procedure.^[4][4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: Parts named in the AD: main deck cargo door (MDCD) and MDCD actuator bearing fittings. In its section on material incorporated by reference, the FAA describes EASA AD 2024-0092R1 as specifying procedures for "replacement of both MDCD actuator bearing fittings if any crack is found on any MDCD actuator bearing fitting".^[4][4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: Comment response: the AD records that FedEx Express requested that the FAA approve operator changes in their internal manuals "to keep door operations limited to 70 degrees". The FAA answered that the AD "does not specify how operators must comply with the operational limitation" and that it "has not changed this AD in this regard". The 70-degree figure appears only in this account of the commenter's request; paragraphs (a) through (l) of the AD print no opening angle.^[4][4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: Paragraph (h) states the exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0092R1: a date reference to April 26, 2024 is replaced by the effective date of this AD, and the EASA "Remarks" section is not adopted. Paragraph (i): although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0092R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, the AD does not include that requirement.^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: The AD says it is an interim action and that the FAA might consider further rulemaking if a final action is later identified.^[4]
Main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fittings - FAA AD 2025-19-06: EASA AD 2024-0092R1 itself was not available (see Bekliyor); every statement above is the FAA's text about it, not EASA's text.^[4]

Not yet covered

Door system description of the A300 B2/B4 and A300-600 (locking and latching, door warning, girt bars, manual and powered operation of passenger and cargo doors, slides/escape equipment, number of doors per side): not found in the documents used here; the TCDS passages used give model differences, one certification entry and the exit-arrangement table noted below, and AC chapter 2.7 gives door-clearance drawings only (other AC chapters were not read for door content). Door and exit dimensions in AC 2.7 pages 2-9: the dimensions on the drawings (e.g. 95.5 in./2.43 m, 42 in./1.07 m, 76 in./1.93 m, 106 in./2.70 m and the rest) are printed without text labels saying what each measures; apart from the "FROM NOSE" values quoted above, no dimension is given a meaning here. Reference point of the "FROM NOSE" distances (door centreline, forward edge or other): not stated in the page text; only the drawing's dimension line suggests a vertical line through the door view. Whether the AC's "Upper Deck Cargo Door" (2.7.8, model A300 C4-600), the TCDS's "upper side cargo door" / "upper deck lateral cargo door" / "lateral main deck cargo door" and the AD's "main deck cargo door (MDCD)" are the same door on any given model: the sources use different names and none states the equivalence. EASA AD 2024-0092R1 (the MCAI that FAA AD 2025-19-06 adopts): ad.easa.europa.eu returned an EASA "Maintenance Page" (HTML, no AD text) on 2026-11-09 for both the AD address and a /pdf address; not read, not downloaded. Its original text, the material it references and its remarks are therefore not covered. AC 2.7 page 6 header style and footer (Oct 31/89, "R") differ from the other door pages (Feb 28/83, "AIRBUS INDUSTRIE"); the pages read do not explain what changed on page 6. The door positions on page 6 were not compared with those on the other pages. Service doors (JASC 5240-5248), entrance stairs (5260), door warning system (5270), landing gear doors (5280) and door system wiring (5297) exist in the JASC taxonomy; no A300 source for them was read, so they are not described. TCDS cabin exit-arrangement tables (e.g. clause 20.7, "345 passengers, A-A-I-A", "361 passengers, A-A-I-A") name "exit arrangement(s)" without defining the letters; not interpreted.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to a public source. Accessed dates are shown per document.

FAA Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code Table and Definitions, Information last updated October 27, 2008 (2008-10-27) — p.38. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/JASC_Code.pdf · accessed 2026-11-10
Airbus AC A300-600 — Aircraft Characteristics, Airport and Maintenance Planning, Revision 13 (2009-12-01) — §2.7 p.1 (PDF p.40); Contents p.1 (PDF p.9); §2.7 pp.2-9 (PDF pp.41-48); §2.7 pp.2, 3, 5 (PDF pp.41, 42, 44); §2.7 p.6 (PDF p.45); §2.7 p.3 (PDF p.42); §2.7 p.5 (PDF p.44); §2.7 p.2 (PDF p.41); §2.7 p.4 (PDF p.43); §2.7 pp.6-8 (PDF pp.45-47); §2.7 p.7 (PDF p.46); §2.7 p.8 (PDF p.47); §2.7 p.9 (PDF p.48). https://www.aircraft.airbus.com/sites/default/files/2023-02/Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft-AC-A300-600-Dec-2009.pdf · accessed 2026-11-10
EASA TCDS EASA.A.172 — Airbus A300, A310, A300-600, Issue 08 (2026-02-01) — §8 p.22; §16 p.48; §18 p.52; §19 p.54; §20.1 pp.57-58. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/downloads/17110/en · accessed 2026-11-10
FAA AD 2025-19-06 — Airbus SAS airplanes (A300-600 included), Issue 90 FR 46338 (2025-09-26) — §(a), (d) p.46340; §(c) p.46340; Summary p.46338; §(e) p.46340; Background p.46338; §(g) p.46340; Material Incorporated by Reference p.46339; Comments p.46339; §(g)-(h) p.46340; §(h)-(i) p.46340; Interim Action p.46339. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-26/html/2025-18761.htm · accessed 2026-11-09

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