AD NUMBER: 2018-18-20

PRODUCT: All Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary.

This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.

DATES: This AD is effective October 23, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates  that this AD affects 127 airplanes of U.S. registry. The cost of compliance is estimated as follows:

The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this figure may vary from operator to operator.

In the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a peroperator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.

Therefore, the estimated total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).  

FMI: AD