AD 2007-07-09 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

Models named: A318, A319, A320, A321. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes; certificated in any category; except airplanes that have received Airbus Modification 31892 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. Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2005-19-14 Modification (f) Within 58 months after October 26, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-19-14): Modify the electrical bonding of all structures and systems installed inside the center fuel tank by accomplishing all of the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 01, dated December 8, 2004; Revision 02, dated February 21, 2005; or Revision 03, including Appendix 01, dated February 23, 2006. After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 03 may be used. Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of the Service Bulletin (g) Actions done before October 26, 2005, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, dated December 2, 2003, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. New Requirements of This AD Modification (Additional Bonding Points) (h) For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, dated December 2, 2003; Revision 01, dated December 8, 2004; or Revision 02, dated February 21, 2005; have been done before the effective date of this AD: Within 78 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the electrical bonding of the structures and systems identified in the additional actions specified in paragraph 3.B.(3) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 03, including Appendix 01, dated February 23, 2006. 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. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-19-14, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (f) of this AD. Related Information (j) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 2006-0176, dated June 26, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the service information identified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 1.—All Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date A320-28-1104 01 December 8, 2004. A320-28-1104 02 February 21, 2005. A320-28-1104, including Appendix 01 03 February 23, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the documents identified in Table 2 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Table 2.—New Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date A320-28-1104 02 February 21, 2005. A320-28-1104, including Appendix 01 03 February 23, 2006. (2) On October 26, 2005 (70 FR 55228, September 21, 2005), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 01, dated December 8, 2004. (3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 22, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-5886 Filed 4-2-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report that additional bonding points need to be modified in order to prevent electrical arcing in the center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing in the center fuel tank due to inadequate bonding, which could result in an explosion of the center fuel tank and consequent loss of the airplane.