Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes)

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and all Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the upper radius of the forward fitting of frame 47, and repair if necessary. This new AD retains those requirements, but reduces inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals, and adds related investigative and corrective actions. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections only for airplanes with cracking that is within certain limits, and a post-repair inspection program following the optional terminating action. This AD results from reports of additional cracking in airplanes that were inspected in accordance with the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the left and right upper radius at frame 47, which could propagate and result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.