AD NUMBER: 2018-10-05

PRODUCT: All Airbus Model A310 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-23-01, which applied to  the aircraft listed above.

AD 2016-23-01 required repetitive detailed inspections for cracking around the fastener holes in certain areas of the wing top skin panels, supplemental repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking around the fastener holes in certain other areas of the wing top skin panels, and repair if necessary.

This AD adds an inspection and modification of the fastener holes of the wing top skin panels at a certain area. This AD also includes terminating action for certain inspections.

This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) which indicates that the wing top skin panel fastener holes at a certain area are also subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD).

DATES: This AD is effective June 19, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The actions required by AD 2016-23-01, and retained in this AD, take about 8 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that are required by AD 2016-23-01 on U.S. operators to be $5,440, or $680 per product.

The FAA further estimates that it takes about 95 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. Required parts will cost about $10,200 per product. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $146,200, or $18,275 per product.

In addition, any necessary modification will take about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $10,000, for a cost of $13,400 per product.

FMI: AD