AD NUMBER: 2019-03-10

PRODUCT: All Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes).

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-05, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2017-07-05 required repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) leg components and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found.

This AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-07-05 and removes the credit for doing an MLG overhaul in lieu of the initial inspection of the MLG leg components.

This AD was prompted by further investigation after AD 2017-07-05 was issued, which revealed that overhaul of the MLG does not alleviate the need for inspecting the MLG hinge arm/barrel pin for cracking.

DATES: This AD is effective March 29, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 128 airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

• Inspection - Labor: 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per airplane per inspection cycle
• On-Condition costs: 20 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,700 per MLG. Parts: $3,400,000 per MLG. Total cost per MLG: $3,401,700.

FMI: AD