Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, that requires repetitive replacement of the universal joints and steady bearings of the flap transmission system with new parts at regular intervals, or overhaul. This amendment is prompted by a report of a malfunction of a universal joint in the flap transmission system on one wing due to fatigue failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure replacement or overhaul of certain universal joints and bearings of the transmission system when they have reached their maximum life limit. Failure of universal joints and bearings could lead to an asymmetric condition of the flaps, which could adversely affect controllability of the airplane.