AD 2006-20-03 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

Models named: A319, A320, A321. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes, certificated in any category; on which Airbus Modification 20233, 25902, or 24365 (installation of slide raft) has been done in production; excluding those airplanes having manufacturer's serial numbers 1794, 2155, 2195, 2204, 2231, 2239, 2244, 2246, 2247, 2252, 2254, 2255, 2257, 2259, 2261, 2263, 2267, 2273, 2274, 2275, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2297, 2301, 2307, 2310, 2314, 2327, 2369, and subsequent.

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 and Repair (f) Within 200 days after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision 01, dated December 12, 2005. If the stiff part of the girt or the girt bar position is incorrect, before further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” (g) Inspecting and repairing if necessary before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, dated July 23, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Credit for AD 2005-23-05, Amendment 39-14363 (h) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2005-23-05 is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(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 § 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 (j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-172, issued December 21, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision 01, dated December 12, 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 September 14, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-8229 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.