Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive eddy current inspections to detect cracks of the outer skin of the fuselage at certain frames, and repair or reinforcement of the structure at the frames, if necessary. This proposal also would require eventual reinforcement of the structure at certain frames, which, when accomplished, terminates the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that fatigue cracks were found in the area of certain frames. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such fatigue cracking, which could reduce the structural integrity of the airframe and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.