Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A310 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies or damage of the steady bearing assemblies of the flap transmission system, and replacement of any discrepant or damaged assembly with a new, like assembly. This amendment also requires eventual replacement of all the steady bearing assemblies with new, improved assemblies, which terminates the repetitive inspection requirements. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracking of the hardened steel inner race, and broken or missing inner races of the steady bearing assemblies. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such discrepancies and damage of the shafts of the steady bearing assemblies, which could cause the shafts to fail; failure of the steady bearing shafts during a subsequent assymetric stop could result in an uncommanded assymetric retraction of the flap, and subsequent reduced controllability of the airplane.