Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. It requires a one-time template inspection of the rear pressure bulkhead to detect dents; repetitive eddy current inspections of dents greater than a certain depth to detect cracking; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that cracking has been found in the vicinity of a dent in the rear pressure bulkhead of one airplane. The actions specified by this amendment are intended to prevent fatigue cracking resulting from a dent in the rear pressure bulkhead; that condition, if not corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the bulkhead and, consequently, lead to rapid depressurization of the airplane.