Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-111 series airplanes. This action requires modification of the splicing cap at nose forward Frame 8 by cold expansion of the fastener holes and installation of new oversize fasteners. This amendment is prompted by results of a full- scale fatigue test which revealed that fatigue cracking can initiate from these fastener holes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent such fatigue cracking which, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could compromise the structural integrity of the fuselage and lead to rapid depressurization of the airplane.