AD 2006-09-12 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Model A310-200 and A310-300 Series Airplanes

Models named: A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, A310-203. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes on which Airbus Modification 3881 has been done in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-21-2012 has been done in service; certificated in any category; excluding airplanes on which Airbus Modification 12921 has been done 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. Modification (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem by doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes) or A310-53-2121 (for Model A310-200 and A310-300 series airplanes) both Revision 01 dated September 12, 2005, as applicable. Accomplishing the modification before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149 or A310-53-2121, both dated February 25, 2005, as applicable, is acceptable for compliance with the modification in this paragraph. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(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 (h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-061 R1, dated May 25, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149, Revision 01, dated September 12, 2005; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2121, Revision 01, dated September 12, 2005; 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 26, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-4135 Filed 5-3-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of accidents resulting in injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure, causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of the outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are issuing this AD to prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from being ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane.