Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight loss of fixed and hinged main landing gear (MLG) fairings, and reports of post-modification MLG fixed fairing assemblies that have wear and corrosion. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive replacements of the fixed fairing upper and lower attachment studs of both left-hand (LH) and the right-hand (RH) MLG; and repetitive inspections for corrosion, wear, fatigue cracking, and loose studs of each forward stud assembly of the fixed fairing door upper and lower forward attachment of both LH and RH MLG; and replacement if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating modification for the repetitive replacements of the fixed fairing upper and lower attachment studs. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight detachment of an MLG fixed fairing and consequent damage to the airplane.