AD 2007-13-08 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, all certified models, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; except airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. (1) Airplanes equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand APIC APS 3200 auxiliary power units (APUs), that have received Airbus Modification 35803 in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1070 in service. (2) Airplanes equipped with Honeywell 131-9A APUs, that have received Airbus Modification 35936 in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1075 in service. Reason (d) An operator reported black smoke at the rear of the fuselage during taxi after landing. The smoke was caused by a fire in the APU air intake. Analysis has demonstrated that following numerous unsuccessful APU start attempts in flight, there is a risk of reverse flow, leading to flame propagation to the APU air inlet and air intake duct. If this zone is contaminated, a fire may be initiated. The flightcrew operating manual limits the number of APU start attempts as follows: After three starter motor duty cycles, wait 60 minutes before attempting three more cycles. The MCAI mandates repetitive inspections of the APU starter motor, APU inlet plenum, and APU air intake, as well as repetitive cleaning of the APU air intake; and applicable corrective actions.

Unless already done, do the following actions except as stated in paragraph (f) below. (1) Within the next 600 flight hours following the effective date of this AD: Inspect the APU starter motor, APU air inlet plenum, and APU air intake, and do the applicable corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006. (2) Repeat the inspection per above paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, at intervals not exceeding 600 flight hours. (3) Prior to the accumulation of 2,400 flight hours since the aircraft's first flight, or within the next 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, dated June 2, 2005: Clean the APU air intake in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006. (4) Repeat the cleaning task per above paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, at intervals not exceeding 2,400 flight hours. (5) After embodiment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1070, dated July 28, 2006 (on airplanes equipped with APIC APS 3200 APUs); or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1075, dated September 22, 2006, or Revision 01, dated December 1, 2006 (on airplanes equipped with Honeywell 131-9A APUs); as applicable; the inspections and cleaning as described above are no longer required. FAA AD Differences (f) None. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0153 R1, dated November 27, 2006 (corrected November 29, 2006), which references Airbus Service Bulletins A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006; A320-49-1070, dated July 28, 2006; and A320-49-1075, dated September 22, 2006, and Revision 01, dated December 1, 2006; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If accomplished, you must use the applicable Airbus Service Bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD to perform the optional terminating action specified in this AD. Table 1.—Optional Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date A320-49-1070 Original July 28, 2006. A320-49-1075 Original September 22, 2006. A320-49-1075 01 December 1, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 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 June 12, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification. [FR Doc. E7-11780 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions except as stated in paragraph (f) below. (1) Within the next 600 flight hours following the effective date of this AD: Inspect the APU starter motor, APU air inlet plenum, and APU air intake, and do the applicable corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006. (2) Repeat the inspection per above paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, at intervals not exceeding 600 flight hours. (3) Prior to the accumulation of 2,400 flight hours since the aircraft's first flight, or within the next 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, dated June 2, 2005: Clean the APU air intake in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006. (4) Repeat the cleaning task per above paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, at intervals not exceeding 2,400 flight hours. (5) After embodiment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1070, dated July 28, 2006 (on airplanes equipped with APIC APS 3200 APUs); or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1075, dated September 22, 2006, or Revision 01, dated December 1, 2006 (on airplanes equipped with Honeywell 131-9A APUs); as applicable; the inspections and cleaning as described above are no longer required. FAA AD Differences (f) None. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0153 R1, dated November 27, 2006 (corrected November 29, 2006), which references Airbus Service Bulletins A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006; A320-49-1070, dated July 28, 2006; and A320-49-1075, dated September 22, 2006, and Revision 01, dated December 1, 2006; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-49-1068, Revision 01, dated February 2, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If accomplished, you must use the applicable Airbus Service Bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD to perform the optional terminating action specified in this AD. Table 1.—Optional Material Incorporated by Reference Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date A320-49-1070 Original July 28, 2006. A320-49-1075 Original September 22, 2006. A320-49-1075 01 December 1, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 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 June 12, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification. [FR Doc. E7-11780 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P