AD NUMBER: 2019-19-17

PRODUCT: All Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, and B4-620, Model A300 B4-600R series, and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-03-20 R1, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2000-03-20 R1 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks on the forward fittings in the radius of a certain frame, adjacent to the tension bolts in the center section of the wings, and various follow-on actions.

This AD retains the requirements of AD 2000- 03-20 R1, adds new airplanes to the applicability, and introduces new compliance times for the required inspections, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking due to fatigue-related stress in the radius of frame 40, adjacent to the tension bolts at the center/outer wing junction.

DATES: This AD is effective November 14, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects  65 airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

• Retained actions from AD 2000-03-20 R1: 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 per aircraft.
• New actions: 161 work-hours × $85 per hour = $13,685 per aircraft.

FMI: AD