Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-16-01 for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 99-16-01 required repetitive inspections of certain bolt holes where parts of the main landing gear (MLG) are attached to the wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 99-16-01, we have determined that the risk of cracking in the wing rear spar is higher than initially determined. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability, reduces the compliance times and repetitive intervals for the inspections, and changes the inspection procedures. This AD was prompted by a determination that the risk of cracking in the wing rear spar is higher than initially determined. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rear spar of the wing, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.