AD NUMBER: 2018-02-12

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-02-01, which applied to the products listed above.

AD 2016-02-01 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks of the pressurized floor fittings at a certain frame, and renewal of the zone protective finish or replacement of fittings with new fittings if necessary. AD 2016-02-01 also provided an optional modification that was terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-02-01, and requires accomplishment of the modification that was optional in AD 2016-02-01.

This AD was prompted by the results of an additional fatigue analysis of cracking of the pressurized floor fittings and a determination that the optional modification should become a required action.  

DATES: This AD is effective March 2, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 13 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following costs are estimated for compliance:

• Inspection: 11 work-hours × $85 per hour = $935 per aircraft per inspection cycle.
• Modification: 85 work-hours × $85 per hour = $7,225 Parts = $5,320. Cost per aircraft: $12,545

FMI: AD