Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs, and applicable related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of an engineering evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable damage limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not provide adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing slats. We are proposing this AD to find and fix previously done repairs of the wing slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue strength, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of the slats and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.