AD FAA-2012-0331

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the forward and aft attachment fittings and of the swan neck for cracks, and replacing the attachment fittings and the swan neck with serviceable ones if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the forward attachment fittings of the left and right sides of the forward hinge of the nose landing gear (NLG) aft door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks of the forward attachment fittings and the swan neck, which could lead to the in-flight detachment of the NLG aft door and result in injury to persons on the ground or damage to the airplane.