Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19115 · Wings
Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus Modification 39729 was embodied in production, except those airplanes on which Airbus Modification 152155 or Modification 152200 was embodied in production.
(1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the lower rib foot angle of the center wing box did not match with the bottom skin panel inner surface. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the external bottom skin in certain areas on the left and right wings, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Before exceeding the applicable compliance time specified in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a detailed inspection or a special detailed inspection for cracking of the external bottom skin in the area of the rib 2 attachment between stringer 8 and stringer 11 of the left and right wings, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1205, dated May 26, 2016. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable intervals, based on the method used for the most recent inspection, as specified in table 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
| Airplane model and configuration | Compliance time—whichever occurs first since first flight of the airplane |
|---|---|
| Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; pre-Airbus Modification 155374; not used as VIP or Elite | Before the accumulation of 14,500 total flight cycles or 29,000 total flight hours. |
| Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; post-Airbus Modification 155374; not used as VIP or Elite | Before the accumulation of 13,600 total flight cycles or 27,300 total flight hours. |
| Model A319 series airplanes; post-Airbus Modifications 28162, 28238, and 28342; used as VIP or CJ | Before the accumulation of 7,400 total flight cycles or 32,000 total flight hours. |
| Model A318 series airplanes; post-Airbus Modification 39195; used as VIP or Elite | Before the accumulation of 14,500 total flight cycles or 43,500 total flight hours. |
| Airplane model and configuration | Detailed inspection— whichever occurs first | Special detailed inspection— whichever occurs first |
|---|---|---|
| Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; not used as VIP or Elite | 4,000 flight cycles or 8,000 flight hours | 5,000 flight cycles or 10,000 flight hours. |
| Model A319 series airplanes; post-Airbus Modifications 28162, 28238 and 28342; used as VIP or CJ | 2,000 flight cycles or 8,600 flight hours | 2,500 flight cycles or 11,000 flight hours. |
| Model A318 series airplanes; post-Airbus Modification 39195; used as VIP or Elite | 4,000 flight cycles or 12,000 flight hours | 5,000 flight cycles or 15,000 flight hours. |
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airbus Modification 155374 defines the minimum airplane configuration for operation on Commonwealth of Independent States runway profiles.
Repair of an airplane, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD unless otherwise specified in the instructions obtained using the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.
Modification of the wings including a detailed inspection of the lower rib feet (rib 2) and bottom skin upper surface of the wings for cracking and all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1207, including Appendix 01 and Appendix 02, dated May 26, 2016, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane. If, during modification of an airplane as specified in this paragraph, accomplishment of any modification instruction is not possible due to configuration difficulties, accomplish the modification using the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
