AD 2006-06-15 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318-100 Series Airplanes; Model A319-100 Series Airplanes; Model A320-111 Airplanes; Model A320-200 Series Airplanes; Model A321-100 Series Airplanes; and Model A321-200 Series Airplanes

Models named: A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, -233, A321-211, -213. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category. Table 1.—Applicability Airbus model— Having the following Airbus modification installed in production— Or the following Airbus service bulletin incorporated in service— But not having the following Airbus modification installed in production— A318-111 and -112 airplanes Not applicable Not applicable 33232 A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes 25642 or 26213 A320-52-1088 33232 A320-111 airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes 26213 or 26603 A320-52-1088 33232 A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes; and Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes 26213 or 26603 A320-52-1088 33232

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Replacement of Water Drain Valves (f) Within 14 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the water drain valves having part number (P/N) ABS0341-2-01 in the forward and aft cargo doors with new valves that close at a lower differential pressure having P/N ABS0341-2-02, by doing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, Revision 01, dated May 31, 2005. Credit for Previous Service Bulletin (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, May 6, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(1) 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. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-172 R1, dated April 13, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, Revision 01, dated May 31, 2005, 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 this document 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 10, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-2852 Filed 3-24-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, during a test of the fire extinguishing system, air leakage through the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors reduced the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage through the water drain valves, which, in the event of a fire in the forward or aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.