Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-03-19, which applies to certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211 and -231 series airplanes. AD 2004-03-19 required repetitive inspections for cracking in the transition and pick-up angles in the lower part of the center fuselage area, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2004-03-19 also provided for an optional terminating modification for the repetitive inspection requirements. This new AD requires accomplishing the modification by installing washers between the transition pick-up angle and the pin nuts, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also adds airplanes to the applicability of AD 2004-03-19. This AD was prompted by a determination that the optional terminating modification must be required in order to address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the transition and pick-up angles of the lower part of the center fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing-fuselage support and fuselage pressure vessel.