AD NUMBER: 2018-09-02

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-23-16, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 99-23-16 required repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracking of the vertical flange of the inboard Z-stiffeners of the centerline panel of the fuselage belly fairing; and corrective actions, if necessary.

This AD was prompted by a new fatigue and damage tolerance evaluation that concluded that the current inspection thresholds and intervals had to be more restrictive.

This AD requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 15, 2018. Comments must be received by June 14, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. For an affected airplane that is placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the cost of compliance is estimated to be $595 per aircraft per inspection cycle.

FMI: AD