AD FAA-2012-0297

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A340-500 and Model -600 series airplanes. This AD requires performing repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections of the external radius on upper horizontal cruciform fitting at frame (FR) 47 on the left- and right-hand sides for cracks, and repairing the cracks if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports that during fatigue testing, damages occurred in the external radius on the upper horizontal cruciform fitting at FR47 on the left- and right-hand sides. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.