Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive inspections for any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed wiper rings in the splined couplings of the flap transmission shafts; inspections for any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed rubber gaiters and straps on the sliding bearing/plunging joints of the flap transmission; and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from reviews in which the manufacturer determined that the splined couplings and sliding bearings of the flap transmission system could be affected by corrosion and wear. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged, missing, or incorrectly installed components of the flap transmission system, which could result in reduced functional integrity of the flap transmission system and consequent reduced control of the airplane.