Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

FAA / Federal Register · 2021-18702

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-12- 13, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-212, -214, -232, and -233 airplanes. AD 2017-12-13 required repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections or repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections of the pocket radius at certain areas of the fuselage frame, and repair if necessary. This AD requires new repetitive inspections at the left- (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the fuselage skin at certain frames for any cracking, and repair if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found during an inspection of the pocket radius of the fuselage frame, and a determination that similar cracks may develop in nearby areas of the fuselage frame and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.