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Airworthiness Directive 2018-18-16

recurring
Official AD 2018-18-16 · FR doc 2018-19437 · 2018-09-10 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

What this AD requires

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-12-08, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-212, -213, -312, and -313 airplanes. AD 2018- 12-08 required repetitive inspections of certain fastener holes, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD corrects certain compliance time references. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking at fastener holes located at a certain frame (FR) on the lower shell panel junction. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Repetitive inspection. Re-inspect. The next-due date/hours depend on this aircraft’s time in service — a records report computes it from the logbooks.

Which aircraft AD 2018-18-16 applies to

MakesAirbus
ModelsA330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A340-212, A340-213, A340-312, A340-313, A330, A340

Applies only to airplanes on which Airbus SAS Modification 44360 has been embodied in production.

Whether AD 2018-18-16 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.
Date — When the work was done.
Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.
Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.
Is AD 2018-18-16 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.