AD 2020-16-18 Requires Repetitive Inspections For Discrepancies Of Certain Locations In And Around The Fuselage

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found at certain fuselage frames. This AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of certain locations in and around the fuselage and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD becomes effective September 9, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0112R1, dated May 27, 2020 (“EASA AD 2020-0112R1”) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes.

This AD was a prompted by reports of cracking found at certain fuselage frames. The FAA is issuing this AD to address crack initiation and propagation, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov