AD NUMBER: 2018-06-03

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-18-16, which applied to the aircraft listed above. AD 2009-18-16 required an inspection for cracking of certain fastener holes on certain frames, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; and modification of certain fastener holes.

This new AD reduces the compliance times. This AD was prompted by the identification of a structural modification that falls within the scope of the work related to the extension of the service life of the affected airplanes and widespread fatigue damage evaluations.

DATES: This AD is effective April 19, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. It will take about 41 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $20,180 per product. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $189,320, or $23,665 per product.

Although no definitive data has been received that will enable the FAA to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions (i.e., additional inspection and modification for certain airplanes) specified in this AD, it has been determined that the total repair costs could be up to $10,000 per product. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these repairs.

FMI: AD