Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-10030 · Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes
Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2000-12-04. Comply with the one in force.
Model A320 series airplanes as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1026, dated August 5, 1994; on which modifications 21281P1495 and 21680P1818 have not been installed; certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires an initial inspection of fastener holes on certain outer frames of the fuselage to detect fatigue cracking, and modification of this area by cold expanding these holes and installing oversized fasteners. This amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that, during full-scale fatigue testing of the test article, fatigue cracking was detected in the area where the center fuselage joins the wing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking and consequent reduced structural integrity of this area, which could lead to rapid depressurization of the fuselage.
