Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-12- 09, which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2016-12-09 requirements included removing existing and installing new fasteners, inspecting for and, if necessary, repairing cracking. This new AD requires repetitive inspections of the fastener holes at a certain frame and applicable on-condition actions, and, for certain airplanes, requires a modification, as specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, which are incorporated by reference. Also as specified in the EASA ADs, this AD also provide an optional terminating action for certain airplanes, which terminates the inspections. This AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB) and a determination that the compliance time specified in AD 2016-12-09 for the modification of the inside CWB must be revised. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.