Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires an initial inspection of fastener holes on certain outer frames of the fuselage to detect fatigue cracking, and modification of this area by cold expanding these holes and installing oversized fasteners. This amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that, during full-scale fatigue testing of the test article, fatigue cracking was detected in the area where the center fuselage joins the wing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking and consequent reduced structural integrity of this area, which could lead to rapid depressurization of the fuselage.