Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07- 12, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2016-07-12 required repetitive inspections for damage and cracking of the aft fixed fairing (AFF) of the pylons, and repair if necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2016- 07-12 and requires additional repetitive inspections at the upper spar at a certain rib area and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in an European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the AFF of the pylons due to fatigue damage of the structure and reports of cracks on a certain rib of a modified AFF of the pylons. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.