AD 2005-17-08 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321 Series Airplanes

Models named: A321 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A321 series airplanes, certificated in any category; except for those airplanes that have received Airbus Modification 33426 in production.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection of Emergency Exit Doors (f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours, perform a measurement for correct gap of the control rod of the hold-open mechanism of all emergency doors, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-52A1120, Revision 02, dated July 10, 2003. If the gap of any control rod is not correct, prior to further flight, apply all necessary corrective actions in accordance with the AOT. Optional Interim Terminating Action (g) Replacing the polyamide control rod of any mechanism with an aluminum control rod prior to accomplishing paragraph (h) of this AD, as specified in AOT A320-52A1120, Revision 02, dated July 10, 2003, terminates the repetitive measurement required by paragraph (f) of this AD for that mechanism. Final Terminating Action (h) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the polyamide or interim aluminum control rods of the release mechanisms with new, improved, water-resistant control rods in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1121, dated December 12, 2003. This replacement terminates the repetitive measurement required by paragraph (f) of this AD. Actions Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (i) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus AOT A320-52A1120, dated June 5, 2003; or Revision 01, dated June 19, 2003; are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. No Reporting Requirement (j) Although the service information specifies procedures for reporting measurement results and control rod replacement to the manufacturer, this AD does not require these reports. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (l) French airworthiness directive F-2004-040, dated March 31, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1121, dated December 12, 2003; and Airbus All Operators Telex A320-52A1120, Revision 02, dated July 10, 2003; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 11, 2005. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-16458 Filed 8-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report that an operator found it impossible to lock emergency doors 2 and 3 in the open position. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the emergency doors to lock in the open position, which could interfere with passenger evacuation during an emergency.