AD NUMBER: 2008-04-20
MANUFACTURER: Airbus
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-04-20
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority ofanother country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: During planned maintenance visit on two aircraft, corrosion was found on the upper surface of the wing lower skin panel N°1, inside the Right Hand (RH) inboard dry bay.

It was discovered that [certain] access panels * * * had been omitted from the access requirements of the associated AMM (airplane maintenance manual) task (AMM 05-25-40) until the August 2001 revision. The result is that some * * * inspections may have not been fully accomplished due to non-removal of [certain] panels * * *

If the area has not been inspected with the correct access, and if AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A320-57-1121 has not been performed, then some aircraft could remain insufficiently inspected until the next scheduled inspection.

This may result in a high risk of corrosion findings greater than level 1. Corrosion findings greater than level 1 in the wing could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives/