Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection to determine the serial number of both main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes, repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the affected MLG sliding tubes, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would retain these inspections and add new repetitive inspections for cracking of the MLG sliding tubes. This proposed AD would also require eventual replacement of both MLG shock absorbers. Doing this replacement would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements of this proposed AD. This proposed AD results from a determination that additional inspections and mandatory replacement of the MLG shock absorbers are necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in an MLG sliding tube, which could result in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one axle, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.