Summary
The FAA is revising an earlier supplemental NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus airplanes as listed above. The first supplemental NPRM would have required repetitively inspecting for cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap on the wings, and performing related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from reports of cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap. This action revises the first supplemental NPRM by requiring eventual replacement of nose rib 7 with a new, improved rib, which would terminate the proposed inspections. This action also removes from the applicability airplanes on which the improved nose rib 7 was installed during production. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent cracking in the web of nose rib 7, which could result in rupture of the attachment fitting between the inner flap and flap track 2, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the flap.