Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-19-11 for certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes. AD 2004-19-11 required modification of the inner rear spar web of the wing, cold expansion of the attachment holes of the forward pintle fitting and the actuating cylinder anchorage of the main landing gear (MLG), repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking of the rear spar of the wing, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2004-19-11 also provided optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2004-19-11, and requires the previously optional terminating action. This AD was prompted by a determination that the previously optional terminating action is necessary to address the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the inner rear spar, which may lead to reduced structural integrity of the wing and the MLG.