Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212- CD, C-212-CE, C-212-CF, C-212-DE, and C-212-DF airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) side fuselage skin and on a certain frame underneath the skin, near the leading edge of the wing. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the LH and RH side center wing fairings at a certain frame, around the wing leading edge for discrepancies (cracks), and repair if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.