AD 2011-13-11 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

Models named: A318-111, -112, -121, -122, A319-111, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122, airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category.

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 Requirements of AD 2007-06-18, With No Changes Repetitive Inspections/Replacement (g) At the time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable: Do a general visual inspection of the operation of the MLG door opening sequence to determine if a defective actuator is installed by doing all the applicable actions, including replacing the door actuator, as applicable, specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006. Do all applicable replacements before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 900 flight cycles. Accomplishing the actions before April 27, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-06-18) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, dated March 7, 2006, is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements in this paragraph. Doing the inspection required by paragraph (l) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (1) For airplanes on which a record of the total number of flight cycles on the MLG door actuator is available: Before the accumulation of 3,000 total flight cycles on the MLG door actuator, or within 800 flight cycles after April 27, 2007, whichever is later. (2) For airplanes on which a record of the total number of flight cycles on the MLG door actuator is not available: Within 800 flight cycles after April 27, 2007. 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 enhance visual access to all exposed 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.” No Reporting/Parts Return Required (h) Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006, specify submitting certain information to the manufacturer and sending defective actuators back to the component manufacturer for investigation, this AD does not include those requirements. New Requirements of This AD Revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) (i) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Emergency Procedure Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate the following information. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. “• If ECAM triggers the “L/G GEAR NOT DOWNLOCKED” warning, apply the following procedure: Recycle landing gear. • If unsuccessful after 2 min: Extend landing gear by gravity. Refer to ABN-32 L/G GRAVITY EXTENSION.” Note 2: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (i) of this AD has been included in the Emergency Procedure Section of the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM. Repetitive Checks (j) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD or before the accumulation of 800 total flight cycles, whichever occurs later, check the post flight report (PFR) for centralized fault display system (CFDS) messages triggered within the last 8 days, in accordance with paragraph 4.2.1 of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011. Repeat the check thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8 days or 5 flight cycles, whichever occurs later. If done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, the use of an alternative method to check the PFR for CFDS messages (e.g., AIRMAN) is acceptable in lieu of this check if the messages can be conclusively determined from that method. On-Condition Inspection (k) If, during any check required by paragraph (j) of this AD, a pair of specific CFDS messages specified in paragraph 4.2.1 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, has been triggered by both landing gear control and indication units (LGCIU) for the same flight, before further flight, inspect the door opening sequence of the affected doors of the MLG for discrepancies (i.e., if any condition specified in steps (a) through (d) of paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, is not met), in accordance with paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011. Repetitive Inspections (l) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD: inspect the door opening sequence of the left hand and right hand doors of the MLG for discrepancies (i.e., if any condition specified in steps (a) through (d) of paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, is not met), in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 425 flight cycles. Doing this inspection terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (1) For airplanes on which an inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been done as of the effective date of this AD: Within 800 flight cycles after doing the most recent inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (2) For airplanes on which an inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD has not been done as of the effective date of this AD: Within 800 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. Replacement (m) If any discrepancy (i.e., if any condition specified in steps (a) through (d) of paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, is not met) is found during any inspection required by paragraph (k) or (l) of this AD, before further flight, replace the affected MLG door actuator with a new MLG door actuator, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011. (n) Replacement of the MLG door actuator as required by paragraph (m) of this AD is not a terminating action for the repetitive actions required by paragraphs (j) and (l) of this AD. FAA AD Differences Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) Paragraph (6) of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2011-0069, dated April 18, 2011, specifies a compliance time of 800 flight cycles after the effective date for all airplanes for the initial inspection of the door opening sequence. This AD specifies a compliance time of 800 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD for airplanes on which the existing inspections (required by AD 2007-06-18) of the door opening sequence have not been done, and a compliance time of within 800 flight cycles since the most recent inspection or within 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, for airplanes on which the existing inspections of the door opening sequence have been done. (2) EASA AD 2011-0069, dated April 18, 2011, specifies MLG door actuators having part number (P/N) 114122006, P/N 114122007, P/N 114122009, P/N 114122010, P/N 114122011, or P/N 114122012, in its applicability. This AD retains the existing applicability of AD 2007-06-18 of all airplanes because all airplanes have one of the affected part numbers. Other FAA AD Provisions (o) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. As of the effective date of this AD, AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2007-06-18, are not approved as AMOCs with this AD. (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) Special Flight Permits: Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) with the MLG extended, provided that no recycle of the MLG is allowed during flight. Related Information (p) Refer to MCAI EASA 2011-0069, dated April 18, 2011; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006; and Airbus AOT A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (q) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex A320-32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006, on April 27, 2007 (72 FR 13681, March 23, 2007). (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office—EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (5) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2011. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-15683 Filed 6-24-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P