AD 2003-03-04 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600); A310; A319; A320; A321; A330; and A340 Series Airplanes

All Model A300 B2 and B4; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600); A310; A319; A320; A321; A330; and A340 series airplanes; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent corrosion of the emergency actuator mechanism, which could cause failure of the emergency actuator striker mechanism on the passenger or emergency doors, and lead to difficulty in opening the passenger or emergency doors during an emergency evacuation, accomplish the following: Repetitive Inspections (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or within 36 months after the airplane's date of manufacture, whichever occurs later: Determine if Airbus Modification(s) 45090, 45155, 45197, 45904, 45905, 26015, 26211, 11549, or 12024, as applicable, has been done. If the applicable modification(s) has been done, no further action is required by this AD. If the applicable modification(s) has not been done, before further flight, do the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD. (b) Perform the inspections required by paragraphs (b)(1) and/or (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-0168, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes); A300-52-6052, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2058, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A310 series airplanes); all dated October 25, 1999; A330-52-3038, Revision 01, dated December 2, 1996 (for Model A330 series airplanes); A340-52-4048, Revision 03, dated June 10, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); or Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 52-12, Revision 1, dated May 9, 1996 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); as applicable. Although certain service bulletins reference a reporting requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 years: (1) For Model A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes: Do a detailed inspection of the striker and guide valve of the emergency door actuators for corrosion. (2) For all airplanes: Do a detailed inspection of the striker and guide valve of the passenger door actuators for corrosion. Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.” Note 3: Additional service information regarding the required inspections on Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes is provided in RATIER-FIGEAC Service Bulletin 701-5000-52-9, Revision 1, dated October 10, 1996. Corrective Action (c) If any corrosion is found during any inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, before further flight, accomplish either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-0168, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes); A300-52-6052, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2058, Revision 02, excluding Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet (for Model A310 series airplanes); all dated October 25, 1999; A330-52-3038, Revision 01, dated December 2, 1996 (for Model A330 series airplanes); A340-52-4048, Revision 03, dated June 10, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT 52-12, Revision 1, dated May 9, 1996 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); as applicable. Although certain service bulletins reference a reporting requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD. (1) Clean the corroded areas of the emergency actuator striker mechanism to restore proper function, and re-install the mechanism; and, within 18 months after the corrosion is found, replace the mechanism with a serviceable part; or (2) Replace the emergency actuator striker mechanism with a serviceable part. (d) Inspections and corrective action done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-0168, dated December 4, 1996, or Revision 01, dated March 26, 1998; A300-52-6052, dated December 4, 1996, or Revision 01, dated March 26, 1998; or A310-52-2058, dated December 4, 1996, or Revision 01, dated March 26, 1998; are considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in this amendment. (e) Inspections and corrective action accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus A320 Maintenance Planning Document, task number 521000-13-1, are considered acceptable for compliance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD. Terminating Action (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the striker mechanism of the emergency and passenger door actuators (includes replacement of the existing copper diaphragm in the striker mechanism with an aluminum diaphragm and re-identification of the actuators) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-0173, Revision 01, dated September 7, 2000 (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes); A300-52-6061, Revision 01, dated September 7, 2000 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); A310-52-2065, Revision 01, dated September 7, 2000 (for Model A310 series airplanes); A330-52-3048, Revision 01, dated December 2, 1998 (for Model A330 series airplanes); A340-52-4059, Revision 01, dated December 2, 1998 (for Model A340 series airplanes); or A320-52-1094, Revision 02, dated April 7, 1999 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); as applicable. (g) Modification of the striker mechanism accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1094, Revision 1, dated June 17, 1998, is considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD. Part Installation (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a passenger door or emergency door actuator on any airplane without first inspecting that actuator in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD; and repairing, if necessary, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (i) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. Special Flight Permits (j) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (k) The actions shall be done per the applicable Airbus service information in the following table: Table.—Service Information Airbus service information Revision level Excluding Date All Operator Telex (AOT) 52-12 1 not applicable May 9, 1996. Service Bulletin A300-52-0168 02 Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet October 25, 1999. Service Bulletin A300-52-0173 01 not applicable September 7, 2000. Service Bulletin A300-52-6052 02 Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet October 25, 1999. Service Bulletin A300-52-6061 01 not applicable September 7, 2000. Service Bulletin A310-52-2058 02 Service Bulletin Acceptance/Rejection Sheet October 25, 1999. Service Bulletin A310-52-2065 01 not applicable September 7, 2000. Service Bulletin A320-52-1094 02 not applicable April 7, 1999. Service Bulletin A330-52-3038 01 not applicable December 2, 1996. Service Bulletin A330-52-3048 01 not applicable December 2, 1998. Service Bulletin A340-52-4048 03 not applicable June 10, 1997. Service Bulletin A340-52-4059 01 not applicable December 2, 1998. (1) This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 1998-482-122(B) R1, dated April 21, 1999; 1999-410-294(B) R1, dated November 17, 1999; and 98-507-085(B) and 98-508-106(B), both dated December 16, 1998. Effective Date (l) This amendment becomes effective on March 7, 2003. Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 2003. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-1831 Filed 1-30-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P