Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and Model A320-200 Series Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes. This AD requires doing a one-time general visual inspection of the axle nut on each main landing gear (MLG) wheel for the presence of locking bolts and associated hardware; doing any related investigative and corrective actions as applicable; and submitting an inspection report to the manufacturer. This AD results from a report that an axle nut had separated from an axle on a main landing gear (MLG) wheel, due to missing locking bolts. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing locking bolts on the axle nuts of the MLG wheels. Absence of the locking bolts could result in separation of a wheel(s) from the axle and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to people on the ground.