AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A300, A310 and A300-600 aircraft, all certified models, all serial numbers.

This Airworthiness Directive is issued in order to detect and prevent wear of the aft attachment fittings of the articulated seat and dummy tracks located between FR38.2 and FR40, and between FR54 and FR54.2, which could lead to crack initiation and affect the structural integrity of the airframe.

Some of the configurations concerned by paragraph "ACTIONS" of this AD were already covered by AD 97-116-222(B) or by paragraph 1.1 of AD 90-222-116(B) R4: both Airworthiness Directives are consequently revised.

The following measures are rendered mandatory.

Perform an inspection of the articulated seat and dummy tracks in accordance with the instructions of the following inspection programmes:

A. A300 aircraft:

l. Aircraft on which none of the following AIRBUS INDUSTRIE modifications have been embodied:

- modification No. 02109 (or Service Bulletin A300-53-0107),

- modification No. 03135 or 03599 (or Service Bulletin A300-53-0l88)

Within 1,500 flight hours following the latest inspection performed in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 1.1 of AD 90-222-116(B) R4, perform an inspection, and repair if required, of the articulated seat and dummy tracks, in accordance with the instructions of Service Bulletin A300-53-0103 revision 5. Repeat this operation at intervals not exceeding 1,500 flight hours.

2. Aircraft on which AIRBUS INDUSTRIE modification No. 02109 (or Service Bulletin A300-53-0107) has been embodied, but on which neither modification No. 03135 nor modification 03599 (or Service Bulletin A300-53-0188) has been embodied:

Within 1,500 flight hours following the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, unless already accomplished, perform an inspection, and repair if required, of the articulated seat and dummy tracks in accordance with the instructions of Service Bulletin A300-53-0179 Revision 3. Repeat this operation at intervals not exceeding 3,000 flight hours (or 6,000 flight hours if repaired with Cu-Be wear pad in accordance with AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A300 SRM 53-15-00).

3. Aircraft on which AIRBUS INDUSTRIE modification No. 03135 or 03599 (or Service Bulletin A300-53-0188) has been embodied:

Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 flights, unless already accomplished, perform an inspection and repair, if required, the articulated seat and dummy tracks in accordance with the instructions of Service Bulletin A300-53-0329. Repeat this operation at intervals defined in Service Bulletin A300-53-0329 depending on the wear during the previous inspection.

B. A310 and A300-600 aircraft:

Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 flights, unless already accomplished, perform an inspection and repair, if required, the articulated seat and dummy tracks, in accordance with the instructions of Service Bulletin A300-53-2101 or A310-53-6105. Repeat this operation at intervals defined in Service Bulletin A300-53-2101 or A310-53-6105, depending on the wear during the previous inspection.

REF.: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletins A300-53-0103 Revision 5,

A300-53-0107, A300-53-0179 Revision 3,

A300-53-0329, A310-53-2101, A300-53-6105

(at the mentioned issues or any other later approved revisions)

Structure Repair Manual AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A300 SRM 53-15-00.

This Airworthiness Directive replaces:

- Paragraph 1.1 of Airworthiness Directive 90-222-116(B) R4 dated 27 March 1996

- Airworthiness Directive 97-116-222(B) dated 21 May 1997 which is cancelled by its Revision 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 08, 2000